Kansas City Air show Accident 2011

The pilot of the biplane that pancaked into the runway at Wheeler Downtown Airport before a stunned air show crowd Saturday described himself as obsessed with flying. Bryan Jensen grew up on a farm in Iowa, took his first flying lesson when he was 13, soloed on his 16th birthday and as an adult flew jumbo jets for Delta Air Lines, according to a website promoting his passion for aerobatic flying. He%u2019d been a stunt pilot the past 15 years, when not in the captain%u2019s seat of a 747. Now it%u2019s up to crash investigators to determine what led to the accident that killed a pilot with as much experience and flight time — some 23,000 hours — as Jensen had. The accident occurred around 1:45 p.m. in front of a few thousand spectators on the first day of the Kansas City Aviation Expo Air Show. Witnesses said that the custom-built, red biplane was performing aerobatic maneuvers, such as loops and spiral stunts. It did a downward spiral but failed to pull up. The plane crashed nose-first into the pavement and burst into flames, according to witnesses. The crowd went silent, emergency crews headed for the wreckage, and the show immediately was closed. Many attendees waited to climb aboard buses, but a hundred or more trudged toward downtown across the Broadway Bridge, which was closed to regular traffic. Caine and Jason Cook of Blue Springs were among those hoofing it. Caine Cook said the plane%u2019s descent looked as though it were scripted. “It was looking cool at first, like he knew what he was doing,” Jason Cook said. But seconds before impact, it dawned on the Cooks that the pilot wasn%u2019t going to make it. A show volunteer who had seen the show rehearsal on Friday said he marveled at how low Jensen and other pilots would fly toward the ground before pulling up. Also witnessing the crash was Jan Marcason, who represents the 4th District on the Kansas City Council. “He was doing some amazing tricks,” Marcason said. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident. Jensen%u2019s hometown and age were not available. Show director Ed Noyallis read a brief statement in a hangar after the crash. “Our hearts go out to Bryan%u2019s family and loved ones,” he said. He went on to note that aerobatic flying can be very dangerous, although the public was never in danger. Air show officials said they spoke with other pilots after the crash and all agreed the show would continue today. Receipts from Saturday%u2019s show would be honored on Sunday, Noyallis said. Earlier in the day, air demonstrations were delayed during a moderate rain. Hundreds who gathered for the show retreated for cover inside terminal buildings and beneath display aircraft. The day began when six members of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachuted from 12,500 feet in the air. The crowd cheered as each team member landed. “It looked scary at first because they were so high in the air, but it was great when they landed,” said Jordan Pauley, 11, of Kansas City, Kan. During the day, spectators waited in line to walk through a C-130 cargo plane. The aircraft, which is part of the Missouri Air Guard, can haul more than 155,000 pounds of cargo and more than 90 passengers. Spectators also viewed other military jets and aircraft that were on display. Vendor and food booths were located throughout the airfield. Children played inside several inflatable bounce houses and constructed model vehicles and other toys from Legos. This year%u2019s show also included a restored P-51C Mustang, similar to an aircraft flown by members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. The display is part of a traveling exhibit and features a customized 53-foot trailer that features a 160-degree curved movie screen. A 14-minute movie called “Rise Above” focused on the struggles endured by the Tuskegee Airmen. Charles Ellington, 87, of Olathe was a Tuskegee Airman who worked as a radio operator during World War II. He said he was pleased with the attention that he and other airmen were receiving. “I think it is great because it shows the public is proud of what we did,” Ellington said.

• 2011-08-23T18:08:31+00:00
• Duration: 03:33

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