Pilot who died after plane overturns at Reno-Stead Airport identified
STEAD, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — A 80-year-old male pilot has died after a single-engine plane flipped over after landing at the Reno-Stead Airport on Tuesday evening.
According to the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office, the pilot was John Gano Parker. His exact cause of death is still pending autopsy results.
Parker raced at the Reno Air Races for more than 40 years in the unlimited, Formula One and sport classes, winning gold three times in Formula One and once in the sport class.
He was an Air Force veteran who left the service to become a pilot for American Airlines. In 1967, he started up his own aviation business called American Air Racing.
Ian Gregor with the Federal Aviation Administration confirms a Thunder Mustang overturned around 7:40 p.m. on May 1.
Gregor says Parker was the only person on board.
Brian Kulpin, a spokesman for the airport, says the pilot was based at the Reno-Stead Airport and well-known to the area.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will take over the investigation.
