The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Here is a link to an interesting article on the Reno crash in Popular Mechanics magazine. http://www.popularme...e-crash-6481596

There is a very good video and tribute to Mr. Leeward. In the slow motion part of the video you can see a piece of the tail come off. http://www.youtube.com/watch It is titled Jimmy Leewards last flight

I saw a video titled Galloping Ghost Last Flight. Began with The Unlimiteds on start up. Slow to load but very good. Right before the crash it seems Jimmy over shot his turn before the grand stands. To keep from getting disqualified he seems to really pull it tight. Next shot shows Jimmy pull up with the Tail wheel hanging out. I could imagine if the T/W uplock let go on a high g turn it would shudder the airframe. This is the worst section of the course for somthing to happen. In his shock did he pull up to aggresivly to avoid the grand stand restriction zone with the plane trimmed for high speed level and over strees the trim tab. You see it depart 1/2 way thru the climb. Than things went down hill fast. It will be sad if this finishes Reno. But I know it wont ever be the same. Just my thoughts.

Not an authority, but my racing contacts have stated that he was developing full power in the turn, upon high pull up 11G("Uncommanded"). It was not an agreesive pull up to the Que like some believe. Engine starved of fuel, quit and relit at the top. Engine was at 105inches MAP in the descent. Doug

Yes, the Ghost had air to ground telemetry; some onboard data cards were recovered as well.