Pilot dies in Ohio stunt crash

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DAYTON, Ohio, July 28 (UPI) -- A stunt plane doing spectacular tricks at an Ohio air show stunned the crowd into silence when it plummeted to the ground Saturday, killing the pilot.

Ifpikhar Ahmad, director of aviation in Dayton, said the pilot, Jim LeRoy, died while being flown to Miami Valley Hospital by helicopter, the Dayton Daily News reported.

Mark Carpenter, fire chief at Dayton International Airport, said LeRoy's plane, a Bulldog Pitts, skidded about 300 yards after impact, sending flames and black smoke skyward. Firefighters extinguished the fire within minutes.

"We cut Mr. LeRoy out of the aircraft," Carpenter said.

The announcer at the Vectren Dayton Air Show asked people in the audience to submit any video of the crash for an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The air show was canceled for the rest of Saturday but will resume Sunday, said Michael Emoff, chairman of the board of trustees of the United States Air & Trade Show.

"This is a very sad day for all of us," Emoff said. "We have the opportunity to have a big show tomorrow."