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Crash at Travis AFB airshow


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I was there. He was flying down the runway low and inverted to do that ribbon cutting stunt pictured above. But he kept losing altitude and slapped the runway. It wasn't that hard a hit, but the fire started immediately and he didn't have a chance.

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It's always sad when this happens, but at least he died doing what he loves so there's some comfort in that. Thoughts go out to his family and friends. R.I.P.

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I was there. He was flying down the runway low and inverted to do that ribbon cutting stunt pictured above. But he kept losing altitude and slapped the runway. It wasn't that hard a hit, but the fire started immediately and he didn't have a chance.

Not surprising that the fire started so quickly, since the Stearman's fuel tank is in the middle of the upper wing. It probably ruptured on impact. It's always terrible news to hear about one of these airshow accidents. My thoughts and prayers go out to the pilot's family.

SN

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Not surprising that the fire started so quickly, since the Stearman's fuel tank is in the middle of the upper wing. It probably ruptured on impact. It's always terrible news to hear about one of these airshow accidents. My thoughts and prayers go out to the pilot's family.

SN

Is the fuel tank up there for balance or weight distribution?

Or because of space availability?

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Space availability. Not enough room for a tank between the front cockpit and the firewall.

Ah; Thanks for the response.

I assume putting a fuel tank behind the cockpit would give similar unstable conditions like that found on a P-51 Mustang.

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