Airshow Crash Reported In Dayton, Ohio Airshow

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 07.28.07 1650 EDT: Damn... The Associated Press reports airshow pilot Jim Leroy died en route to Miami Valley Hospital Saturday afternoon, following an accident during his routine at the Vectren Dayton Airshow.

Hospital spokeswoman Cheryl Page confirmed the news.

Reports from the scene indicate Leroy's modified "Bulldog" Pitts biplane impacted the runway in a flat attitude at the bottom of a loop, during a performance of the two-ship "Code Name Mary's Lamb" routine.

Original Report

An aircraft performing in the Vectren Dayton Airshow went down, impacting the runway, Saturday afternoon. Dayton Daily News reports that Jim Leroy, a pilot in the two-airplane act "Code Name Mary's Lamb," has been taken to the hospital following the crash.

The Pitts aircraft dove toward the ground when the two aerobatic planes were performing loops and rolls during their routine.

DDN reports black smoke and flames could be seen from across the field at the Dayton International Airport. After the stunned crowd fell silent, the airshow's announcer requested that anyone with video footage of the incident make the information available to the NTSB. The condition of Jim Leroy, who was airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital, is still unknown. 

Jim Leroy awed air show crowds in his "Bulldog" Pitts biplane, in high-energy routines  from coast to coast. Leroy, a former marine scout sniper, toured the country in a motor home between air shows, hauling his airplane on a trailer. Leroy-- the 2002 Art Scholl Showmanship Award and the 2003 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship -- was one of 11 performers to receive both honors.

Leroy held Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certifications, as well as commercial pilot, multi-engine and instructor ratings in helicopters and aircraft. He held a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering, and was an Aerobatic Competency Evaulator with the International Council of Air Shows. 

Leroy was the last surviving pilot of the "Masters of Disaster," an airshow act that combined three performers, two jet trucks and pyrotechnics.

The two airplane act was the last to perform before the USAF Thunderbirds were to fly. The remainder of events scheduled for today have been cancelled.

FMI: www.bulldogairshows.com