Third Fatal Accident This Week Claims Gary Hubler

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 09.14.07 1700 EDT: The Reno Air Race staff has released the following statement regarding this week's string of fatal accidents...

The Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors and staff expresses its heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of the members of our pilot community who have lost their lives this week.

It is difficult for all of us to cope with the loss of Biplane Class racer Steve Dari, Jet Class racer Brad Morehouse, and Formula One racer Gary Hubler. We will miss them.

We hope that their fellow race pilots, fans, and all of the attendees who come to the National Championship Air Races for the remainder of this week, will find some small solace in sharing the joy of flight and the blessings of our aviation heritage while remembering the contributions Steve, Brad and Gary made through their participation in this event.

Race officials expect competition will continue this weekend. Friday's air show went on as scheduled, although racing was suspended following the accident.

Original Report

1655: Damn... For the third time this week, there has been a fatal accident at the Reno National Air Race Championships.

Two airplanes collided Friday morning at Reno Stead Airport, claiming the life of five-time defending champion Gary Hubler. The pilot of the second aircraft, identified as Jason Somes, was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, reports The Associated Press.

The accident occurred during the Formula One competition. Hubler was flying "Mariah," a Cassutt III M (shown below, right). Somes was flying "Alley Cat," an Owl OR71, according to the air race website. He was able to make an emergency landing.

Two judges were also reportedly injured. It is not known whether the competition would continue; the races are scheduled to conclude this weekend.

As ANN reported Thursday, an L-39 Albatros crashed during the jet competition, claiming the life of pilot Brad Morehouse. Initial reports indicate Morehouse's plane may have been caught in the wake of a jet ahead of him.

On Tuesday, pilot Steve Dari was lost when his RD-5 biplane, "Rose Peregrine" went down just after takeoff on a practice flight.

Friday's accident marks the 18th fatality in the 44-year history of the Reno Air Races. Prior to this week's competition, there had not been a fatality at Reno since 2002.

FMI: www.airrace.org