RENO, Nev. (KABC) — Authorities say two California-based pilots were killed when their planes crashed while landing at an air race in Reno.
Officials with the Reno Air Racing Association said the planes collided around 2:15 p.m. Sunday at the end of the T-6 Gold race.
The association identified the pilots as Nick Macy and Chris Rushing.
Rushing flew from Van Nuys and Macy was based in Tulelake, Siskiyou County.
Rushing was president of the Condor Squadron at Van Nuys Airport. Eyewitness News has interviewed him several times in the past for stories about the squadron, including on July 4th this year and for a Memorial Day event in 2022.
Traditionally on July 4th, aircraft from the World War II-era Condor Squadron take to the skies over Southern California
Traditionally on July 4th, aircraft from the World War II-era Condor Squadron take to the skies over Southern California
The Reno Air Racing Association described both men as “experienced pilots and gold winners in the T-6 class.”
“I am completely devastated and heartbroken today,” said Fred Telling, chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association and president of the T-6 class. “These two pilots were not only an integral part of the National Championship Air Race family, they were a part of my family. My condolences go out to their own families and to all the viewers and fans who supported us so enthusiastically this week.”
The crash occurred on the final day of the National Championship Air Races in Reno.
There were no other reported injuries, authorities said.
Officials said they were working with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and local authorities to determine the cause of the accident.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.