Witnessed Air Show Crash

[Mango]

Today MANgo and I joined some friends at the Rhinebeck Aerodome, which is about an hour north of us, to see a vintage airplane show. Planes that are quite rare, many from the WW1 era. During the show, they had re-enactments of disputes between the French and German with young actors about high school age. Some of the bi-planes dropped make believe bombs and then on the ground smoke bombs went off as part of the act. After a couple of hours, the final show was a dog fight. When both planes went up, the commenter mentioned something about the maneuverability of the planes, but one plane seemed to cock too far right in my opinion. When they got up higher and made a few circles around the air field, my fear eased. Then all of a sudden the same plane that made me nervous suddenly just dropped over the trees. Many people thought that it was part of the act when they saw smoke. Reality set in when the commenter asked for prayers for the pilot, but not for all. I think some thought it was still part of the show. One other biplane went back up and circled around, came back down crying and yelling to the crowd to go home. We heard the sirens then. We were also asked for pictures and videos so they can analyze them.

Very surreal. We are still in shock. So sad. Article 1 Article 2
Our prayers go out to the family of the pilot.

 

[Biff]

Very sad news......

 

[kathydwells]

Oh, how sad Mango.

 

[TooFarTampa]

What a horrible thing to witness. Especially if you are one of those other pilots in the air, losing a friend.

 

[Miss Critter]

Always so awful to go from such a fun, joy-filled experience to the other end of the spectrum, literally in a second. What a terrible tragedy.

 

[Mango]

Exactly MC. It was a beautiful day, people all with their children and extended families and friends. I just had an eerie feeling though when that plane went up. I know nothing about planes, but it did not seem like that plane was handling properly. I'm glad that the children did not witness anything, or even worse, the plane crashing near people. Nothing could be seen behind the trees.

These old planes are beautiful, but it must be difficult to maintain planes that are close to 100 years old. I will never attend an air show again. I'll admire their beauty from the ground.

 

[Cork On the Ocean]

My love goes out to all affected

 

[bdc63]

How awful. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I read your post.

 

[Beachbummette]

I can't imagine. This is just too sad Mango.

 

[ShallowsNole]

How horrible. I worry when watching the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels, and those planes are new.

The pilot's friends and family will be in my prayers...