This photograph was taken on Sept. 14, 2012 on the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev. Two pilots died in a collision Sunday on what was the final day of the famed air races, which had been being held for the final time ever this 12 months in Reno.

Scott Sonner/AP

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Scott Sonner/AP

This photograph was taken on Sept. 14, 2012 on the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev. Two pilots died in a collision Sunday on what was the final day of the famed air races, which had been being held for the final time ever this 12 months in Reno.

Scott Sonner/AP

Two pilots had been killed on Sunday when their planes collided in midair throughout an air race in Reno, Nev., authorities stated.

The aircrafts — a North American T-6G and North American AT-6B — crashed round 2 p.m. native time in the course of the ultimate day of competitors on the National Championship Air Races. Only the pilots had been on board on the time of the collision, in line with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Reno Air Racing Association recognized the 2 pilots as Nick Macy and Chris Rushing, who died whereas trying to land on the finish of their race. Both their households have been notified. The the rest of the races had been cancelled on Sunday.

“I am completely devastated and heartbroken today. These two pilots weren’t just an integral part of the National Championship Air Race family, they were a part of my family,” said Fred Telling, chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association.

According to the T-6 Racing Association, Macy was from Tulelake in northern California and flew a North American T-6G named “Six Cat.” Rushing was based mostly in Van Nuys in southern California and piloted a North American AT-6B named “Baron’s Revenge.”

The tragic incident occurred on the final day of the famed air races, which had been being held for the final time ever this 12 months in Reno. The competitors passed off on the Reno-Stead Airport for 59 years, however the airport stated it can now not host the occasion “citing the region’s significant growth amongst other concerns,” the Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors said again in March.

Over the years, Reno air races have had a historical past of collisions. Before this weekend’s crash, no less than 32 individuals, lots of whom had been pilots, died on the occasion since 1972, in line with the Reno Gazette Journal.

The most dangerous crash was in 2011, when an aircraft lost control and plunged into the bottom close to a seating space, killing one pilot and 10 spectators. Dozens of others had been injured.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it’s investigating Sunday’s crash, together with the FAA and native authorities.