Jenya
07-10-2005, 11:00 PM
Two U.S. Civilian Biplanes Crash in Mid-air at Saskatchewan Airshow
Canadian Press (http://www.cp.org/)
45 Minutes Ago
MOOSE JAW, SK. - Thousands of people watched in horror Sunday afternoon as two small bi-planes collided in mid-air at the annual air show in Moose Jaw.
Two pilots, members of the Arkansas-based Masters of Disaster civilian aerobatics team, were instantly killed. Witnesses said three planes were simulating a First World War dogfight, and two of them had crossed past each other when the third came up from underneath and smashed into one of the planes.
"It looked really, really nasty," one man watching the show told a radio station. "As soon as they hit, both burst into flames and just went down to the ground."
"There was a big puff of black smoke and some fire," added another witness. "Everyone just stood and was kind of in shock."
The other plane involved managed to land safely.
The 4:20 p.m. (CDT) accident happened well away from the crowd, but the air show was immediately cancelled.
Witnesses said emergency vehicles were at the crash site within five minutes, spraying foam, but there was nothing that could be done.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy," said Clive Tolley, executive director of the air show.
SOURCE: Macleans News (http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/news/shownews.jsp?content=n071051A)
Canadian Press (http://www.cp.org/)
45 Minutes Ago
MOOSE JAW, SK. - Thousands of people watched in horror Sunday afternoon as two small bi-planes collided in mid-air at the annual air show in Moose Jaw.
Two pilots, members of the Arkansas-based Masters of Disaster civilian aerobatics team, were instantly killed. Witnesses said three planes were simulating a First World War dogfight, and two of them had crossed past each other when the third came up from underneath and smashed into one of the planes.
"It looked really, really nasty," one man watching the show told a radio station. "As soon as they hit, both burst into flames and just went down to the ground."
"There was a big puff of black smoke and some fire," added another witness. "Everyone just stood and was kind of in shock."
The other plane involved managed to land safely.
The 4:20 p.m. (CDT) accident happened well away from the crowd, but the air show was immediately cancelled.
Witnesses said emergency vehicles were at the crash site within five minutes, spraying foam, but there was nothing that could be done.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy," said Clive Tolley, executive director of the air show.
SOURCE: Macleans News (http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/news/shownews.jsp?content=n071051A)