Oregon International Airshow
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The Oregon International Airshow is an annual event held at the Hillsboro Airport in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. The event began in 1988 with annual attendance of 65,000 people.[1] It is the largest air show in the Pacific Northwest.[2]
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[edit] History
The airshow began as part of the annual Portland Rose Festival.[3] In 1991 during a performance an aircraft wing walker had to be lowered into a speeding truck on the runway as the plane flew just above the ground after the performer had become entangled.[3] In 2002 the Rose Festival and the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce ceased their association with the annual event and organizers formed a non-profit group to continue the show as the Oregon International Airshow.[3] In 2004 the United States Navy’s aerial demonstration team, the Blue Angels performed at the show.[4] The 2007 event featuring the Blue Angels drew 93,000 spectators.[5]
- Previous attendance figures:[4]
- 2006: 58,000 spectators
- 2004: 88,000 spectators
[edit] 2006 crash
On Sunday, July 16, 2006, a Hawker Hunter jet (N58MX) flown by pilot Robert 'Bob' Guilford, crashed after takeoff.[6] After the plane was airborne, Guilford climbed about 1500 feet into the air and made a right turn, he came back around towards the Hillsboro Airport, after his turn and passed by the airport losing altitude and speed quickly.[6][7] Soon after, the Mk.58 Hunter stalled and impacted the ground in a fireball.[6] Four houses were damaged and the pilot died on impact, but no casualties on the ground.[8] After the crash, the rest of the airshow was canceled.[8] The jet had been on static display at the show, and was not an aerial performer.[8] The pilot had taken off to return to his home in California near the end of the show when the crash occurred.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ Oregon International Air Show. U.S. Air Force. Retrieved on July 12, 2007.
- ^ Oregon International Airshow Announces Growing List of Sponsors. Business Wire, August 5, 2003. Retrieved on March 5, 2008.
- ^ a b c Bermudez, Esmeralda. Tragedy clouds air show's future. The Oregonian, July 18, 2006.
- ^ a b Oregon International Airshow will include Blue Angels. The Oregonian, May 16, 2007. Retrieved on March 5, 2008.
- ^ Lisa Cromwell and Kurt Eckert. 2007 Airshow draws 93,000. The Hillsboro Argus, August 14, 2007.
- ^ a b c NTSB Identification: SEA06FA142. National Safety Transportation Board. Retrieved on March 5, 2008.
- ^ Pilot Identified In Hillsboro Air Show Accident. Aero-News Network. Retrieved on March 5, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Tareen, Sophia, Stuart Tomlinson, Noelle Crombie, Esmeralda Bermudez, Holly Danks and Michelle Roberts. Investigators hope to find why jet crashed into house. The Oregonian, July 17, 2006.
