FAA investigates fatal Reno air race crash

RENO, Nev., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. aviation officials say they're investigating why the wings fell off a home-built plane, killing the pilot, who was practicing for an air race in Reno, Nev.

Erica Simpson, 32, of Phillipsburg, N.J., died Saturday at Reno Stead Airport while warming up for the Reno National Championship Air Races, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.

"She went into a roll," Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor told the newspaper. "She was demonstrating a roll, and the wings came off. That is what the investigation will center on."

The newspaper said Simpson was a commercial pilot raised in Port Wing, Wis., who had competed in the race's biplane class in 2006 and was flying a single-engine Cassult IIIM.

Race officials said three pilots were killed in competition during last year's event and there have been 19 fatalities in the race's 45-year history.