Tragic Start To Aviation's Premier Race Event

With the annual excitement of the Reno Air races not quite underway, a tragic accident has taken the life of a pilot in the process of final preparation for her race efforts. Formula One air-racer Erica Simpson, 32, of Phillipsburg, N.J., flying a Cassutt IIIM racer, was killed when her aircraft experienced a structural failure during an evaluation flight.

According to media reports, Simpson was flying an evaluation flight at approximately 0900 local time at the Reno Stead airport when her aircraft came apart and impacted the ground with fatal results.

According to an FAA spokesman, Ian Gregor, Simpson's aircraft experienced a wing separation as she executed a roll. According to Gregor, 'Organizers were observing her as part of the certification process,' prior to the start of racing, on Monday.

Mike Houghton, President of the air races, noted that, "Erica was a highly skilled pilot and a fierce competitor, but more importantly she was a friend. This has been a difficult day for all of us — Erica's friends and aviation family — and we will deeply miss her smile and energy."

Simpson, a 7000 hour commercial pilot, had previously competed in Reno's biplane class in 2006. Last year's event was marred, inexplicably, by three very different accidents that took the lives of the three pilots involved. 

Ms. Simpson's bio notes that they she was most recently employed as a Captain at CitationShares, a Fractional Ownership Management Company. ANN extends its sympathies to the family and friends of this lost flyer...

FMI: www.riraaerobatics.com, www.airrace.org