For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Houghton
September 6, 2008 President and CEO
(775) 972-6663
National Champion****p Air Race Pilot Involved in
Fatal Crash at Reno-Stead Air****t
RENO, Nev. - Officials from the National Champion****p Air Races have
confirmed that Erica Simpson, age 32, a commercial and air race pilot, was
involved in a
fatal accident today at the Reno-Stead Air****t. The accident occurred at
around 9 a.m.
Saturday morning while Simpson was conducting a check flight in advance of
next
week's competition.
"Erica was a highly skilled pilot and a fierce competitor, but more
im****tantly she
was a friend," said Mike Houghton, President and CEO of the National
Champion****p
Air Races. "This has been a difficult day for all of us - Erica's friends
and aviation
family and we will deeply miss her smile and energy."
Simpson, was raised in ****t Wing, Wis. and currently living in
Phillipsburg,
New
Jersey, was readying for her second year as a competitor in the annual air
racing event.
She previously competed in 2006 as a member of the Biplane Class and was
preparing to
compete in the Formula One Class, at the helm of the yellow and gray #59
plane "Little
Lynn." Simpson was participating in a check flight in advance of
competition.
At this time, race officials would not speculate on the cause of the
accident. The
National Trans****tation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration
will conduct
the investigation. The Reno-Stead Airfield is a general aviation air****t;
representatives
from the Reno Tahoe Air****t Authority have been notified.
Qualifying for the 45th Annual National Champion****p Air Races begins
Monday
and the event officially opens to the public on Wednesday. A tribute is
currently being
planned for Simpson to take place during the opening ceremonies. More
details will be
provided as they become available.
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