Reno National Championship Air Races officials Thursday told a committee of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority that planning for this year’s event is on schedule pending approval of the races’ permits.
However, the airport authority’s lawyer testified that the usual $100 million liability insurance for the event might not be enough coverage because of the P-51 crash in September that killed pilot Jimmy Leeward and 10 people on the ground. About 70 others were seriously injured.
“As bad as that crash was, it could have been worse,” said Ann Morgan, the authority’s lawyer.
Morgan noted that the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, but its report and safety recommendations might not be complete prior to the beginning of this year’s event Sept. 12. She said if the report is released prior to the event, race officials are required to comply with any safety recommendations that result.
The airport board, landlord of race venue Reno Stead Airport, is in the process of deciding whether it will approve this year‘s race permits.
Mike Houghton, air races association president, told the committee that planning for the event had to proceed before the accident investigation is completed. He said he’s “totally satisfied with where (the board) is going” in the approval process.
During the public comment period of the meeting, two speakers condemned the races as inherently unsafe.
Matt Mansur of Reno said previous crashes have claimed the lives of several participants and last year’s crash killed and injured spectators. He said that crash “opened the floodgates” to lawsuits that will continue to pile up after the accident report is made public.
“(Race officials) are trying to get momentum for this event before the crash report is released,” said Mansur, who said more fatal crashes might occur. “I implore (the airport) not to have this event again ... They should pack up their stuff, go away and be thankful they are not being prosecuted.”
Mark S. Daniels told the committee members that aviation fuel also is a danger at the annual air races. He said the race procedures for tanker trucks and the fueling of the race planes invites explosions.
Lew Gage, a member of the Stead Airport Users Association, said all airports use tankers and safely fuel aircraft. He said he wants the races to continue both for the entertainment and economic value of the event.
Race spectators, he said, “pay their money and take their chances.”
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