Two killed in final hours of last Reno Air Races

The deaths of two California pilots on Sunday resulted in the cancelation of the last heats of final Reno Air Races.

"The Reno Air Racing Association is heartbroken to announce that around 2:15 p.m. this afternoon, two members of our racing family, Nick Macy and Chris Rushing, passed away in a landing accident," according to a statement issued on Sunday. "Both expertly skilled pilots and Gold winners in the T-6 Class, Macy piloted Six-Cat and Rushing flew Baron’s Revenge."

Rushing, of Thousand Oaks was the defending 2022 champion. Macy hailed from Tulelake, Calif.

“I am completely devastated and heartbroken today,” said Fred Telling, Chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association and President of the T-6 Class. “These two pilots weren’t just an integral part of the National Championship Air Race family, they were a part of my family. My heart goes out to their own families and to all of the spectators and fans who have so enthusiastically supported us this week.”

There were no civilian casualties during the crash, which is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.