Pilot Confusion Preceded Fatal Mid-Air Collision at Reno Air Races, NTSB Says

Members of Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue and other officials look over aircraft wreckage in Reno, Nev., on Sept. 17, 2023. Adam R. Mayberry/Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue via AP

RENO, Nev—A preliminary investigation suggests there was confusion among pilots just before a fatal mid-air collision at the National Championship Air Races last month but sheds little light on why.

The National Transportation Safety Board released a four-page report Wednesday with some of the few details investigators have pieced together in their preliminary probe of the cause of the Sept. 17 crash that killed veteran California pilots Chris Rushing of Thousands Oaks and Nick Macy of Tulelake.