Father- and-daughter pilots John and Heather Penney of Evergreen are still processing the shock and horror of Friday’s crash at the Reno Air Races.
John Penney has raced vintage aircraft for more than 20 years. Heather Penney grew up in the racing community and also races.
“It’s a personal tragedy for everyone involved. It was difficult to watch, and we are all still absorbing the tragedy of the moment,” John Penney said. “We all are feeling for the loss of life and for Jimmy (Leeward)’s life.”
John Penney did not race this year. He was providing ground support for his team. Heather Penney, who raced earlier in the day, said she was 10 feet from the crash area, but she and her children were uninjured.
She said she was impressed with the immediate emergency response on the ground and by air.
She said pilots who race understand the risk.
“Jimmy was a very capable pilot,” she said. “It was clearly a mechanical malfunction.”
Caitlin Gibbons, The Denver Post
