RENO, NV – A fatal incident unfolded at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada on Sunday when two planes collided during landing. This collision resulted in the death of both pilots. The Reno Air Racing Association confirmed that the accident occurred around 2:15 p.m. at the conclusion of the T-6 Gold race.
The pilots, identified as Nick Macy and Chris Rushing, were both experienced competitors with previous victories in the class. Macy was flying a plane named Six-Cat while Rushing was piloting Baron’s Revenge. The remainder of the races, which were scheduled to conclude later that day, were subsequently canceled.
Fred Telling, chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association and president of the T-6 class, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident. He described both pilots as integral members of the National Championship Air Race family and his personal family. The incident did not result in any other casualties or injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board has also made an announcement that it will conduct an investigation into the accident.
The T-6 class of racing features North American Aviation T-6 Texan aircraft, propeller-driven planes that were initially used as training aircraft in the prewar era. These races test the speed and agility of these “stock” planes. The annual event kicked off last Wednesday.
This is not the first fatal collision at the Reno Air Races. On September 18, 2022, a jet-propelled Aero L-29 Delfín crashed behind a residential area in Reno during a final race, killing the pilot. In 2011, a 1940s-model plane crashed into a crowded tarmac at the event, resulting in the death of nine people, including at least seven spectators and the pilot.