Long-time racer Tommy Rose, of Hickory (MS) was killed Friday at the Reno Air Races, when the veteran Thunder Mustang pilot (who was racing his latest race plane, the formerly Lee Behel Questair Venture 20, that Rose pumped a lot of extra horsepower into) apparently "hit some turbulence and lost control." The plane broke up in the air, at over 300 mph.

Rose (pictured with his beloved Aero-Comp which was not involved in the accident) was looking forward to a great race this year. His last outing, in the 2002 Airventure Cup race to Oshkosh, saw him in first place in the little 'egg,' taking first place by nearly a 40 mph margin, at 284.73 mph on the cross-country course. He qualified Wednesday at the top of the Sport class, at 288.158. [The Venture is one fast design. Dave Anders qualified another Venture, the Eggstra Special, at 331.902mph in 2000. The plane crashed at the end of a heat race, and he didn't make the final; Anders was OK --ed.]

Tommy's many friends and admirers (and we count ourselves lucky to be among them), charmed by his skill and warm heart, will miss him greatly. Our hearts go out to his family.

The Sport Class was eventually won by veteran Darryl Greenamyer in his twin-turbo Lancair, at 328.967mph.

**   Report created 9/16/02   Record 1   **
IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 360        Make/Model: EXP      Description: QUEST AIR VENTURE
  Date: 09/13/2002     Time: 2140
  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: Fatal     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
  City: RENO   State: NV   Country: US
DESCRIPTION
  ACFT ENCOUNTERED A STRUCTURAL FAILURE DURING AN AIR SHOW RACE AND CRASHED, RENO, NV
INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   1
                 # Crew:  1     Fat:   1     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
WEATHER: UNK
OTHER DATA
  Activity: Pleasure      Phase: Maneuver      Operation: General Aviation
  Departed: RENO, NV                    Dep Date: 09/13/2002   Dep. Time:
  Destination: RENO,NV                  Flt Plan: NONE         Wx Briefing: Y
  Last Radio Cont: UNK
  Last Clearance: UNK
  FAA FSDO: RENO, NV  (WP11)                      Entry date: 09/16/2002

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