RENO " A pilot escaped injury when his small, historic airplane crashed at the Reno Stead Airport on Wednesday.
A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration says the plane was approaching the airport at about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday when the engine quit and the pilot was forced to land in dirt near the end of the runway.
Ian Gregor says the 1948 Hawker Sea Fury suffered substantial damage. It is owned by the Cavanaugh Air Museum in Addison, Texas, but the name of the pilot has not been released.
The plane is registered to compete in the Reno National Championship Air Races next month at the airport.
Air race officials have stressed safety even more this year after three pilots died at the competition in 2007.