Bridalveil Falls by junge1
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Description
The 620-ft high Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite Park, California.
Thanks to those of you that expressed concern over my safety. We had booked a flight, made hotel and car reservations for the National Championship Races at Reno's Stead AFB, Nevada two months ago.
These races are advertised as the Worlds fasted motor sport.
Our plans had been to fly in mid-morning Friday, the 16th, and drive to Lake Tahoe and later on in the afternoon check-in and drive up to Stead (we stayed in Carson City)and check out the action. On Saturday and Sunday we had planned to spend all day at the race including getting a pit pass, to see the aircraft up close.
Just after we checked in and were ready to leave for Stead we saw the crash on TV, and of course the races were cancelled. Had we been at the flight line we would not have been at the west end, were the VIP seating and the pit area are located and the crash occurred.
A little background. The races were held in Cleveland, Ohio when in 1949 a P-51 crashed into a house and called a woman and her son.
Following that, there were no races until 1964, when they were started in Reno. During those 47 years in Reno, 19 aviators were killed, but never a spectator.
The activities for these races begin the week prior to the final races held on Sunday.
Several different classes of aircraft compete within their respective class for the honors. The most exciting class is the 'Unlimited' class, mostly highly modified WWII fighters. Throughout the week, heats are flown to determine the order for Bronze, Silver, and Gold Heats. Gold being the fastest.
This year 'Strega', a P-51 had already reached 499mph on the triangular 7 mile long course.
The disaster on Friday happened on the 3rd lap of a 8 lap heat for gold. 'Strega', a P-51 was leading, and "Galloping Ghost', piloted by Jimmy Leeward had just past 'Rare Bear, a F8F 'Bear Cat' for second position when something happened. 'Galloping Ghost', the aircraft that crashed pitched up (standard procedure when something happens - to give the pilot altitude and a chance to divert and land on an alternative runway). In this case the aircraft pitched up, rolled inverted and went into nearly vertical dive. The impact was near the front rows of the VIP seating area and was so great, that the aircraft disintegrated. It dug a 3-ft deep hole in the ramp tarmac. The pilot and two spectators were killed instantly. It was not discovered until the following day that 5 other spectators were also killed instantly at that time. It is suspected that a trim tab on the tail caused the crash, but only a thourough investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will determine the cause. This may take 6 months and the continuation of the races is in limbo at this point.
There are numerous injured still in several area hospital and as of today a total of ten have died. There was no fire because the aircraft have a fire retardant added to their fuel.
We tried to get back to Phoenix, but there was only one seat, and it would have cost $130 extra so we made the best of the situation and went to Yosemite Park on Saturday and to Alturas, Northern California.
This picture was taken on 17 September 2011,
Sig...
Comments (28)
kgb224
I am glad you are all safe my friend. Stunning capture. God Bless.
bazza
Super capture of the falls Sig.
Faemike55
Very happy that you are safe Thanks for the additional information not only about the crash but of the history very lovely photo
sharky_
Beautiful picture. Thanks for info on the crash. So sad to see something tragic to happen. Aloha
flavia49
great image! glad you are Ok! that crash was a very sad event.
jocko500
the Lord is watching after you. happy you was not there. sad of the crash and all that happen there. very good shot
Lashia
Wow such a beautiful thing to view with a dark past, great shot, though!
Dreamingbee
sad infos behind this amazing shot ...
beachzz
A beautiful shot of one of my favorite places. How sad that this trip came about the way it did.
auntietk
What a spectacular photograph! I'm glad you got to go to Yosemite, but agree with Marilyn ... it's a sad way for the trip to have come about.
renecyberdoc
sad thing it was sig.glad you ok.
Feliciti
very sad indeed but can only agree ...glad you ok !!wonderful photo of this fall too!!
gaius
Glad to know you're safe, but what a tragedy. Wonderful shot of this magical place.
farmerC
Exellent shot.
jophoto
How lucky you were! Lovely shot of the falls.
annie5
Very spectacular shot! :)
drifterlee
Really gorgeous!!!!!!
emmecielle
A wonderful image! Glad to know that you're OK! :)
Bossie_Boots
Wow this is an amazing capture pure magic !!
nefertiabet
Grandioser Wasserfall!!! Bei uns hatte er auch viel Wasser :-)
carlx
Wonderful water falls and mood!!!
sandra46
breathtaking waterfall
npauling
How beautiful this looks in this fantastic capture. It is so well named. I'm glad to hear that you weren't hurt in that tragic accident. We saw it on our TV too but I didn't know you were going to be there. It was lovely that you were able to visit some other places to take your mind off the accident.
bobrgallegos
Wonderful capture of this beautiful waterfall!!
JuliSonne
Eine Tragödie, wie wahr. Und ein erstaunliches Foto!
bebert
superb capture
danapommet
Bridalveil Falls is so beautifulSig and you have caught is so well. Love the clarity and crystal clear sky. Also very happy that you are safe and sound. Dana
jamaicamac
Very nice picture!!!