Formula One pilot dies in mid-air collision

Races suspended for rest of Friday

September 14, 2007

For the third time in four days, a pilot at the National Championship Air Races has been killed. Pilot Gary Hubler, last year's Formula One winner, died during a race Friday morning after a Formula One plane collided with another. Eyewitness reports say there were three planes involved in the collision. Reports also indicate Hubler's plane was not one of the two planes that collided, but was beneath the two and was forced into the ground.

The races have been suspended for the rest of the day. No word on what plane Hubler was flying, but Hubler won last year's race flying his Cassutt III M "Mariah." Another pilot, Jason Somes, was taken to a local hospital but his condition was not immediately known although some media outlets are reporting his injuries as non-life threatening. A third pilot is reported to have bailed out and was not injured.