"Galloping Ghost" crashes at Reno Air Races

[mgh 89]

Good point! The answer to obviate lawsuits is of course is insurance, so premiums (and ticket costs) will reflect the measurable risk. The organizers then could sell optional accident insurance, so that thse that don't buy the insurance would have a much weaker case in court i they sue for damages.

The sensible solution is for the organisers to take out their own insurance and include it in the ticket price. I imagine responsible organisers do that in any case. Optional insurance would be a two-edged sword in court.because it implies the organisers knew and accepted there was a risk and so are liable.

[Guest firehawk44]

A tragic accident for sure! It's a shame the crash occurred in and near the crowds and not out in some desolate area. What are the odds of it happening where it did? My thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the pilot and the unfortunate fans who were killed or injured. I hope the people who were injured make a full recovery. Best regards,Jim

[BIGSKY 316]

Are the Reno race pilot's medical criteria above and beyond what the FAA requires?

[Guest jahman]

[Raindance 25]

"The sensible solution is for the organisers to take out their own insurance and include it in the ticket price. I imagine responsible organisers do that in any case." Wouldn't public liability insurance have been mandatory? In the UK you have to have it even if you're just running a market stall.

[mgh 89]

"The sensible solution is for the organisers to take out their own insurance and include it in the ticket price. I imagine responsible organisers do that in any case." Wouldn't public liability insurance have been mandatory? In the UK you have to have it even if you're just running a market stall.

Within the UK there is no requirement for public liability insurance, so the organisers of an air show needn't take out insurance - although they must ensure that aircraft are insured. http://www.caa.co.uk...s/33/CAP403.PDF However, they'd be fools not to and it's usually made a condition of being granted a licence or permission to, for example, run a market stall.

[Jeff Smith 0]

They have insurance for the event. RARA has a track record though of making the safety a priority. If you even look at just the past 10 years, the changes made to the course and the safety they have put there for the spectators. I, for one, will not hesitate to go back there next year or years to come.

[Matthew Kane 1,343]

Of course their would be insurance. You can't even operate an RC Model Aircraft club without insurance. And yes the insurance is part of the operating costs so those expenses would be covered in the ticket sales. After an accident like this the insurance adjusters will take a close look at everything with the spectator areas and distances from the course and most likely increase the rates for this event. NTSB will also investigate and make recomondations as well. I am sure this event will continue but their will most likely be major changes. We've seen this in Car Racing events as well with safety improvements for the spectators.

[Matthew Kane 1,343]

Here we go....Back in 1955 with Formula 1 racing when their was only a 4 foot high retaining wall between the car and the spectators.....86 spectators were killed and over 100 injuries in this accident and they didn't even stop the race. Those were the days when men were men and insurance and safety regulations just didn't exist....Post World War 2 people were more accustomed to this sort of thing, my how we have changed. You can even hear the announcer say "A desolete and tragic scene, but rightly the race goes on..." http://www.youtube.c...h?v=IuKP-rNyiOQ

[tf51d 284]

The death toll is up to 9 now! Let's hope it doesn't get any higher!!!

[mgh 89]

Here we go....Back in 1955 with Formula 1 racing when their was only a 4 foot high retaining wall between the car and the spectators.....86 spectators were killed and over 100 injuries in this accident and they didn't even stop the race. Those were the days when men were men and insurance and safety regulations just didn't exist....Post World War 2 people were more accustomed to this sort of thing, my how we have changed. You can even hear the announcer say "A desolete and tragic scene, but rightly the race goes on..." http://www.youtube.c...h?v=IuKP-rNyiOQ

And the Romans used to enjoy watching people fighting to the death or being torn to pieces by wild animals - thse were the days when men were men!

[Raindance 25]

"- thse were the days when men were men! " When men were dead, surely?"Post World War 2 people were more accustomed to this sort of thing, my how we have changed." It could alternatively be that people were so sickened by wartime death that safety regs in sporting events were made much tighter.

[Matthew Kane 1,343]

I doubt that. Safety regs in general are driven by the insurance industry. Take a look at NFPA or any of these other organizations that write codes and they where started by a group of insurance regulators. They are now comprised of a mix of Insurance and Government regulators and some industry specialists.

[mgh 89]

I doubt that. Safety regs in general are driven by the insurance industry. Take a look at NFPA or any of these other organizations that write codes and they where started by a group of insurance regulators. They are now comprised of a mix of Insurance and Government regulators and some industry specialists.

Society has changed. If you don't like it find yourself a time machine and return to an era you do like. Remember it's the insurance industry that has to pay out the claims at the end of the day!

[Matthew Kane 1,343]

I wasn't saying that I would prefer to go back...I was just showing how back in 1955 spectators used to lean over a 4 foot retaining wall to watch a Formula 1 race, and when 86 spectators were killed and 100 injuries in an accident....they didn't even stop the race. Today the spectators are further back and their is a crash fence to protect them and a race would shut down if their was a serious accident. This just shows how far along we have come since then. The safety regulations didn't really start to advance until the 1970's as you can even take a look how NASCAR did things in the 1960's and compare that to how they've improved today. This Air Race in Reno has obviously shown some areas where perhaps the spectators in the VIP area were probably too close to the circuit. I am sure next year the spectators will be moved further back due to this recent accident but this is for the NTSB and the Insurance Regulators to decide what changes or even if this race will continue....It is possible that the insurance company raises the rates to the point the promotors won't be able to afford having this race continue. This recession plus low attendance and a hike in insurance premiums that raises ticket prices would be enough to shut down this race for good. Plus the pending litigation from the up coming lawsuits from this accident. I wouldn't want to see this race discontinued but I recognize the many challenges ahead for the promotors. This is the world we live in and their is no turning back from it now. Cheers