On September 16, 2011, at the Reno Air Races, a North American P-51D Mustang flown by James K. "Jimmy" Leeward crashed into spectators, killing 11 people including the pilot, and injuring at least 69. It was the third-deadliest airshow disaster in U.S. history, following accidents in 1972 and 1951.

Leeward, 74, and his Mustang, The Galloping Ghost, were in fourth place and had just rounded the last pylon when the airplane abruptly pitched up, rolled inverted, then pitched down. The aircraft hit the tarmac in front of the grandstands in an area containing box seating.

 

On September 16, 2011, at the Reno Air Races, a North American P-51D Mustang flown by James K. "Jimmy" Leeward crashed into spectators, killing 11 people including the pilot, and injuring at least 69. It was the third-deadliest airshow disaster in U.S. history, following accidents in 1972 and 1951.

Leeward, 74, and his Mustang, The Galloping Ghost, were in fourth place and had just rounded the last pylon when the airplane abruptly pitched up, rolled inverted, then pitched down. The aircraft hit the tarmac in front of the grandstands in an area containing box seating.