Plane crashes at Travis Air Force Base air show

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Faux News

A civilian plane that was performing at an air show at Travis Air Force Base crashed Sunday.

No injuries were immediately reported after the incident, which occurred shortly after 2 p.m. at the Solano County, Calif., base, KTVU.com reported. The pilot was attempting a "cutting the ribbon" maneuver when the biplane crashed on the tarmac.

The crash did not occur near spectators. The pilot's condition was not immediately clear.

Lynn Lunsford of the Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday that the plane was a Stearman biplane. The plane was part of the Thunder Over Solano airshow at Travis Air Force Base in Solano County.

FULL story and video at link.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/05/04/plane-crashes-at-travis-air-force-base-air-show/

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Another report says the pilot was killed.

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[Major Nikon]

1. I've seen him perform before. Very sad

http://vimeo.com/42103375

[darkangel218]

2. Unnecessary risky maneuvers only to please the crowds.

I never understood air shows. So many have lost their lives just to please the spectators..

I hope the pilot was able to eject and survive.

[Duckhunter935]

4. No

inverted a few feet above the ground in a biplane. May he RIP.

[darkangel218]

7. Thats simply awful.

[Control-Z]

11. This is the third I've heard about.

The other two had wing walkers. My friend's husband was the walker on one. Upside down, not cutting, but grabbing the ribbon with his teeth. She was holding one end of the ribbon. He was decapitated in front of her.

I hate air shows.

[Duckhunter935]

12. Love air shows

They can be done safely. Not like stunts you mentioned. Much higher up.

[Major Nikon]

5. The amount you live doesn't necessarily mean the number of years you get above ground

Just sayin'

[caraher]

6. True

and this guy had 77 of them... there are far worse ways to go than making a mistake doing something you love

[darkangel218]

8. Maybe.

It's still tragic what happened though.

[caraher]

17. It is indeed tragic

I can't imagine how awful it would be to witness a death like that, too, especially with all the children in attendance.

For better or worse, though, some people are thrill seekers, and those pilots would rather take calculated risks with their lives than be told they're not allowed to do it because it's too dangerous.

It's certainly a more honest bargain for the performer than, say, pro football players face, where the mounting evidence that playing the game can irreversibly damage the brain has been shrugged off then hidden.

[calikid]

3. Local news says the pilot was killed. n/t

[enlightenment]

9. Very sad -

but maybe better to go doing something you love. Peace to his family.

[mackerel]

10. omgeee I just drove past there yesterday

and I had been thinking of going back over to that area today but changed my mind this morning

[uhnope]

13. RIP. 77 years old and quite a way to go. Raise a glass

and salute someone who died doing what he loved

[DontTreadOnMe]

14. Tears are falling from my eyes as I post this...

I just met Eddie for the first time last week at Half Moon Bay Airport, where he keeps his planes. I am a photographer, and he told me to come by anytime and take photos of his planes... I was telling people all week about this nice guy from Half Moon Bay... some of my photos from last weekend, it hurts thinking about it...

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[freshwest]

15. Thanks for giving a face to the story. RIP. n/t

[doxydad]

16. Why dios this have to happen?

At least once a year, something goes horribly wrong at these shows. it's barbaric, and stupid. Wrap it up fer cripes sakes. There's a lot better entertainment elsewhere. Senseless.

[groundloop]

18. Thanks for your heartfelt condolences for this man's family and friends

I don't get why, when something like this happens, someone feels the need to stick their nose in with their own opinion. If you can't show some respect, share some thoughts about the person who was killed, or otherwise contribute, why not just stay out of it?

I completely understand why airshow pilots do what they do. I've flown aerobatics before, I can't begin to describe how much fun it is or the amount of skill and practice required to excel at it. I have the greatest respect for the pilots who are skilled enough to fly in airshows.

[doxydad]

19. Because it's 100% unneeded

There's not a whit of a reason for any plane shows. this ain't 1930. that's why. And, if somebody died, I should worry about them or the family? It's akin to some fool saying.."Hey, look what I can do".... STUPIDITY, and yes, this is MY opinion. . Deal with it.

[Crepuscular]

20. So

So we should restrict all activities to those that are needed? Nobody should go surfing because it's not needed and occasionally people get hurt. Bungee jumping? That has to go, to. Para-sailing, skydiving, Nope, definitely not needed, we better ban them, too.

Get a grip. There are all sorts of activities that people enjoy that entail some risk, that are not needed, that's most certainly not a legitimate reason for precluding those activities. Don't think that air shows or airplane acrobatics are needed? Feel free not to watch, then.

[doxydad]

23. I have a grip.

Whenever I see another life wasted because of showmanship idiocy, i cringe. These shows, like circuses, are passe' at best and cause more harm than any possible good. Yeah, i know when a 4 year old wakes up with nightmares from seeing a flaming plane hit the ground it's all shits and giggles for people who like that sort of thing, but what's the use? Again, this ain't the roaring 20s. this air show stuff is just plain crap.

[Crepuscular]

29. Wow, really?

Better not leave your house, it could be dangerous. Keep your kids locked up inside, too, they might witness something that will scar them for life.

Apparently the millions of people who attend air shows in this country every year disagree with you. Probably not a fan of cirque de soliel either, since a performer was killed during a performance. The millions who attend those shows must be idiots, too.

[Plucketeer]

21. LOTS of things are "unneeded"

There's been airshows since airplanes came to be - matter of fact, BEFORE airplanes came to be. There were "Death-defying" shows when hot air balloons were invented. There have been death-defying feats performed in land and sea-going contrivances as well - and folks have died pursuing exception. If we put a stop to every exercise that risked lives, we'd all do only that that earned us our daily bread (which can be dangerous in itself!)
People push the limits - it's what people do. The myriad times this guy, Eddie, has performed for air shows, has served as inspiration for others. Of course, we could still be cowering in our caves in the pursuit of staying safe!

[doxydad]

22. Thanks, but this is ridiculous.

There's basically no call for these shows, just like there's no call for circuses anymore.

[Plucketeer]

24. OK

you win.

[groundloop]

25. Instead of injecting your opinion into this thread why not start a new one?

This thread is about the death of a person who left behind many friends. I consider your hijacking of this thread to to be right up there with Westboro picketing the funerals of dead soldiers.

[doxydad]

28. Seriously?

I consider your hijacking of this thread to to be right up there with Westboro picketing the funerals of dead soldiers.

REALLY? So, I guess my opinion is the same as me holding a sign that says 'GOD HATES FAGS'.

REALLY?

[Lurks Often]

26. Then why do so many people show up for an air show?

The 2012 New England Air show drew a couple of hundred thousand people.

http://www.greatnewenglandairshow.com

What's ridiculous is your desire to control what people do for fun.

[doxydad]

27. Your question:

Then why do so many people show up for an air show?...

Well, why do so many people watch NASCAR? Same mentality.

[Lurks Often]

30. Your lack of tolerance is duly noted n/t

[IronGate]

31. And just what mentality would that be?

Before you answer, be aware that there are thousands upon thousands of progressives who attend or watch NASCAR events.

[Psephos]

32. "Everyone who thinks like me is smart, everyone who doesn't is ignorant."

There, now you can just copy and paste it.

[EX500rider]

35. And there's no need for car racing or rock climbing or cave diving..So what?

Lots of stuff is dangerous.....and you don't have to do any of it..... just wrapping yourself in bubble wrap and waiting in the corner to get old and die don't do it for everybody.

[penultimate]

33. You can say the same thing about people who sky dive, bungee jump, mountain climb

ride bikes for pleasure, ride river rapids, hike/camp in the middle of no where. Should all unnecessary and potentially dangerous activities be considered barbaric and discouraged?

[Throd]

34. I'm putting together an old car for drag racing. 100% unnecessary, 100% fun.

You will never understand it, so please frown away in your intellectual superiority!