Final Flight of the Ghost

This is a video of Jimmy Leeward's final race. This video shows no impact with the ground just the events leading up to the accident, segments of this footage have been turned over to the NTSB to help with the investigation.

[kellybrowning]

Just took the time to watch this and it brought back alot of bittersweet memories. My family and I were sitting just a few rows behind the point of impact that day, and in retrospect, it was definately one of the hardest things I've ever had to witness. I'd never met Jimmy, but I'll forever be a fan of his legacy and the roll he played in shaping the sport of air racing. We used to travel to Reno for the air races every couple years, prior to the crash, but haven't been back since. This year is different. Being the last year it will ever be held in Reno, I couldn't let it pass without a proper goodbye, so off we go. Thanks to all the great pilots (looking at you Jimmy) and teams for a great run. It's been my honor to cheer you on for all these years.

[FrankKingstonSmith]

I was the lead announcer for the races at Reno... have been since 2002. Steve Stavrakakis, also a fine airshow pilot, is my co-announcer and color guy for the unlimiteds. The sad event is etched into my mind for keeps. As was the incredible rescue effort which followed. A real tough afternoon.

[clutchcrgo]

This is the absolute best air racing tape that I have ever seen, and I have looked at a few. The engine starts, the sounds of the engines running @ takeoff power: you captured it all, not to mention the exact instant at which the late Jimmy Leeward's Galloping Ghost departed controlled flight, never to return. You have a gift, Voodoo 1650, God bless you.

I am sure that you have helped the NTSB immensely with their investigation.

Clutch

[johne]

As an old and somewhat bold pilot told me back in the day -- flying is not inherently dangerous, but it is absolutely unforgiving.

[cujet]

Thanks so much for producing this and sharing it. I met Jimmy at a hangar party a few years back. One of the very best guys!

[tcwhite]

total irresponsibility on Jimmy and the crew!! You NEVER take shortcuts on aviation equipment of any part...document, document and document!! every thing...RIP Jimmy...

[gunnersdoubleott]

Great respectfull video. Thank you! Unfortunately I was there and lost some family
Friends as well. Forever etched in my mind. Fortunately Reno lives on.

[Sumtoshi]

I was here when this happened.  I was sitting right where the plane went in and all of my neighboring spectators were killed.

For some reason got out of my seat 3:45 before the crash and filmed the race, and jimmies rapid climb/fall into seats.

Very emotional day and I became close with the FAA folks there afterward.   

Hope you can keep what's important in focus in this forum.

[JB-znkx]

11 years ago... I was sitting in those stands. I'll Never forget the sound

[BeselerSimRacing]

His age had nothing to do with the incident as well as the overall age of the aircraft. As far as not telling the FAA about modifications the only modification he notified them off was the boil off cooling system to which the FAA recommended 3 hours of flight testing to which were never completed.

As far as the trim tab, they were using were self locking fiber nuts which are to only to be only used one time. Upon examination the NTSB found yellow paint underneath the top layer of paint on the lock nut. The aircraft at one point had been painted yellow but that was around 20+ years prior. In fact, the crew of galloping ghost even told the NTSB that they had to tighten the lock nuts on the ghost prior to going to Reno, evidence that this was a problem before they even got there.

Yes, when you go to a race whether air racing or auto, you assume a risk. But is it out of line to assume that the competitors and the governing body of those machines have done everything they can to ensure that proper maintenance has been achieved? To me it's not out of line. This absolutely could have been avoided had the right technical oversight and practices been put into place before Race 177 even was permitted to take off that Sunday. Personally in my opinion this is negligence to the tenth degree. Never mind that the fuselage was wrinkling and their was a sizable gap between the windscreen a canopy as Leeward pushed the aircraft faster than it had ever went. If you take off in a Cessna 172 with full fuel and a full passenger load of 3 other dudes who weigh 220 pounds a piece and you snap the wings off would you still just say, "well aviation is dangerous!"

Everyone here playing armchair A&P or NTSB investigators need to stfu. Read or watch the NTSB report. The people that investigated this incident have more degrees and more knowledge in engineering than 99.9 percent of you. Shit, even Avweb's Paul Bertorelli said the NTSB got it right.


Personally I can't help but get extremely pissed off when I see people stick up for that team. Jimmy Leeward was a fucking cowboy and the amount of negligence that went on is disturbing.

Take the time and watch or read the official report here:

[AReallyBuffLlama]

Absolutely gorgeous. Me and my dad went down to the valley of speed at Reno in 2010, and watched Ghost in action. She was such a beautiful plane.

[PhlyDaily]

nice thanks for the comment and thanks for the support

[BEpilot]

With the initial pull-up(11G) exceeding the tail wheel down lock limits of 8.5G followed by an over 25G pitch the failure of seat or aft tank attachments used for coolant would be logical. I understand that in cockpit video shows Jimmy unconscious slumped down in the corner of the cockpit. The current thinking is that the root cause CG related not the trim tab failure.

Jimmy was very experienced long time race pilot & QB, everyone I talked to thought very highly of him.

RIP Jimmy

[kiwicory]

I’ve been to a lot of air shows and air races over the years and have personally been close to many a mishap and had met many of the pilots, performers, and ground crew. This tribute was a fitting testament to the golden days of the Reno Air Races. I don’t know what comes next for the races as a whole, but blessings and prayers to a truly sterling group of aviation enthusiasts! ❤❤❤

[privatepilot]

You can actually see the trim tab separating during the climb. Legendary machines flown by legendary pilots.

[ErikJohnston]

Awesome video Jason. Thanks for letting me use your footage for our tribute video Im working on. Can't wait to meet you sometime.

[phlodel]

When fitted with the Merlin engine, the P 51 developed a problem with overload of the tail at speeds in excess of 500 mph. Although it was known that the fuselage needed to be extended to cure this problem, the P 51D did not get this modification due to wartime demands. This problem was not addressed until the H model. This inherent problem did not cause a problem in level flight with the stock aircraft. I've got to believe that this had something to do with this accident.

[ppkfla]

Jimmy's race plane  was subject to  a severe wake vortex event and sadly when Jimmy corrected the movement of  the Galloping Ghost  it was so quick and violent  that he passed out  the NTSB assessment of the accident mentioned that wake vortex was perhaps one of the likely causes   I noticed the flags and pennants were flying straight out  meaning prevailing winds were quite strong which also added to the severity of the wake vortex event    My Deepest Sympathy to those killed and injured and the families and friends affected by this  tragic accident.

[jrcadet]

Painful to watch, but everyone who knows or cares about Unlimited air-racing wants to know what happened. Thanks for posting this.

[Voodoo]

@chimandude
Hi chimandude, that would be Hans Olson and the song is "Western Winds" you can find his songs and CD's on Amazon. Glad you enjoyed the video