Airplanes Collide In Third Fatal Crash In Four Days At Air Race Competition

Friday, September 14th 2007, 4:57 pm

By: News On 6

RENO, Nev. (AP) _ Two airplanes collided Friday at the Reno National Championship Air Races, killing one pilot and injuring another in the third fatal crash at the event in four days.

Five-time defending champion Gary Hubler, 51, of Caldwell, Idaho, was killed in the crash shortly after 9:30 a.m. at Stead Airport just north of Reno, race officials said. It was the 18th fatality in the 44-year history of the air races and prompted the suspension of the competition for the day.

Race officials said they did not know whether the event would continue through the weekend as scheduled.

The pilot of the other plane involved in the crash, Jason Somes of Simi Valley, Calif., was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A friend said he was being treated for an eye injury.

Hubler's plane apparently clipped the back of Somes' plane before crashing. Somes was able to land his damaged aircraft, race officials said.

Competing in the Formula One class, Hubler was flying a Cassutt III M single-seat plane named ``Mariah,'' which is designed for pylon racing and aerial acrobatics. During Thursday's first heat, he reached a top speed of 259 mph, according to the competition's Web site.

Two pilots were killed in separate accidents at the event on Tuesday and Thursday.