One day after the brutal crash at the Reno Air Races that ended up killing 9 people and hospitalizing 60, a pilot at a Martinsbeug, West Virginia air show crashed his plane in front of spectators.
The pilot’s name in the West Virginia crash has not been released. He was flying a T-28 training plane that was built in 1958.
The plane reportedly lost control during a six plane team stunt formation and crashed near some hangers on the airfield.
The wing of the plane with the US Air Force Star can be seen in this photo.
“We were fortunate that the safety measures put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration ensured the safety of those on the ground,” Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, said in a statement. “Right now our thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the deceased.” –cba.ca
The plane was part of a stunt team named the “Trojan Horsemen” or the “T-28 Warbird Aerobatic Formation Demonstration Team.”
The North American T-28 was a basic trainer used by the US Navy, including some air craft carrier training. The first every T-28 flight was in 1959. The T-28 was designed to aid pilots in transitioning to jet air craft.