Early Analysis: Reno Air Race T-6 Midair
North American T-6G and a North American AT-6B
On September 17, 2023, two North American Aviation T-6 Texans crashed midair at the National Championship Air Races (NCAR) in Reno, Nevada. No injuries on the ground were reported. Tragically, the accident claimed the lives of esteemed air race competitors Chris Rushing and Nick Macy, both of whom were prior NCAR winners.
Following the final flag of the last race on the parting day of the National Championship Air Races ever to be held in Reno, the two competitors in the T-6 class, Gold category, dropped from the cool-down area and positioned themselves for landing on Runway 8. The midair collision occurred at some point during their transition from the cool-down area to landing.
In Early Analysis: Reno T-6 Midair, the AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI) makes a preliminary assessment of the accident, addressing notable portions of the tragic flight and highlighting areas the NTSB will likely investigate to determine a probable cause.
Learn more:
- Review the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Collision Avoidance Safety Spotlight
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