The Vectren Dayton Air Show has been cancelled for the day in the aftermath of a fatal fiery crash.
Director of Aviation for the city of Dayton Terrence Slaybaugh confirmed that two people have died in that crash.
Wing walker Jane Wicker’s plane crashed just before 1 p.m. as she sat on top of the inverted 450 HP Stearman. The plane burst into flames as it hit the ground. A fire truck was at the crash within seconds and the flames have been extinguished.
“All of a sudden I heard screaming and looked up and there was a fire ball,” said Stan Thayer of Wilmington.
Shawn Warwick of New Knoxville said he was watching the plane through binoculars. “I noticed it was upside down really close to the ground. She was sitting on the bottom of the plane,” he said. “I saw it just go right into the ground and explode.”
His wife was getting a drink when the crash happened. “I came back and everybody was just in shock,” said Cara Warwick.
Many spectators were already leaving when show organizers cancelled the show for the day at 1:30 p.m. Organizers said the show will go on as scheduled tomorrow.
This was the third act at the 39th Vectren Dayton Air Show. The show is scheduled to run today and tomorrow 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Dayton International Airport. Veteran stunt pilot Jim LeRoy was killed when his stunt plane crashed and burned at the 2007 Vectren Dayton Air Show.
