Pilot Killed In Fiery Crash During Reno Air Races

Fred Telling, the CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association, said at a Sunday evening press conference that the pilot was the only fatality.

The red Aero L-29 Delfín crashed behind a residential area in Reno at about 3:45 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The jet plane was in the final, or “gold,” race of the jet class when it crashed in the third lap, Telling said.

Telling said the host organization and the “September family” of pilots and fans, “express our deepest sympathies to the pilot’s family and friends.” He did not share the pilot’s name.

The annual event began in 1964, and is held every September at Reno-Stead Airport and has featured competition classes for biplanes, World War II-vintage fighters, and jets, as well as demonstrations of historic and contemporary military aircraft.

The Reno Air Racing Association canceled the remainder of the event and is also assisting in the investigation.  

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are also investigating.

The FAA said it would investigate the cause alongside the lead agency for the probe, the National Transportation Safety Board.