Airshow, Halted After Crash In 2011, Back in 2012

A West Virginia airshow which closed early this year following a fatal T-28 crash will be back for 2012. The website for the Thunder Over The Blue Ridge Open House & Air Show in Martinsburg announces, "The 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard will once again partner with the local community and Thunder Over The Blue Ridge, Inc., to host the 2012 Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Open House and Air Show. The event is scheduled for September 15-16, 2012.

"Next year’s open house and air show will center around a variety of military and civilian acts and displays while opening the base to the general public. We are in the preliminary stages of planning the event. Check back often for updates."

As ANN reported, Jack "Flash" Mangan (pictured above), an alternate wing team member of the Trojan Horsemen Warbird Formation Acrobatic Team, died when his T-28 appeared to go out of control following an opposing pass maneuver with another plane. The team took a hiatus, but returned to performing November 11 with a missing man formation flight over the start of the Veterans Airlift Command annual golf tournament and fundraising dinner at Pinehurst Golf Club outside Ft. Bragg, NC.

The 2012 Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Open House and Air Show will be held at Eastern Regional Airport south of Martinsburg.

FMI: www.martinsburgairshow.com