Brad Morehouse, of Afton, Wy., has been identified as the pilot killed when his L-39 Albatros went down during the second heat of the jet class competition at the National Championship Air Races at Reno-Stead Airport. Although no cause has been determined for the crash, KRNV television is reporting unnamed race officials as speculating he might have been caught in another jet’s wake turbulence. All aircraft racing in the jet class are L-39s, which were used as trainers by Eastern Bloc countries.
Morehouse died instantly in the crash, which started a small brush fire. The accident occurred about 2:45 p.m. He was co-owner of Afton Flight Service and his jet was named Dino Juice. Morehouse was the second pilot to die at the races so far this year. Racing was halted for the rest of the day but will resume today.
