Air Race Disaster

643 Words3 Pages
Air Race Disaster Air racing is a type of motorsport that involves the airplanes competing through courses. The competitor returning with the shortest time, the most points, and to match or come closest to a previously estimated time is awarded the winning position. The first air race was held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1908. The races have continued to grow in the public interest ever since this first show in 1908. A year ago on the date of September 2011 in Reno, Nevada there was an air racing disaster that occurred. This disaster involved the death of a pilot and 10 others. It also injured 70 people. Thorough investigations and inspections have taken place since the crash. Two reports have noted that there was a loose screw in the tail of the airplane and that turbulence from the airplane racing close by added to the collision. Federal regulators that are involved in the investigations have discovered some documents pointing to potential deficiencies in the safety inspection procedures. One National Transportation Safety Board document shows inspectors made notes estimated a month before the race that the screws were too short in one of the trim tabs that helped control the airplane that crashed. The crew supposedly and reportedly fixed the problem and the plane was cleared to race. However, the National Transportation Safety Board said there was "no written procedure or sign off to ensure" that the problem was fixed. A panel of experts and air race officials came together and commissioned in the aftermath of the crash to help make the event safer. Considering that this is the only event of its kind in the world, with planes flying wing-tip-to-wing tip around an oval pylon track, 50 feet off the ground and at speeds of over 500 mph it is very important that they do there best to make it known to the public and the pilots that safety is key. Not only is

More about Air Race Disaster

Open Document