Pilot killed at Reno Air Races

Organizers of the Reno National Championship Air Races said they plan more of a festival atmosphere at 51st competition at Reno Stead Airport in September. (The Reno Gazette-Journal, Tim Dunn/Associated Press)

RENO — A pilot has died in a plane crash in Nevada while attempting to qualify for the Reno National Championship Air Races.

Race spokesman Mike Draper told The Associated Press that no one else was injured in Monday afternoon’s accident.

Draper said the plane in the sport class went down about 3:30 p.m. on the north end of the course at Stead Airport north of Reno far away from the grandstand where 11 people were killed in 2011.

Qualifying has been canceled for the rest of the day. Draper said it’s scheduled to resume Tuesday, but that could change. He said he has no details on the crash and authorities are investigating.

The name of the pilot and his plane is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.