By Associated Press - Thursday, May 3, 2018

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Authorities have identified the man killed in a small airplane crash in Reno as four-time air-racing champion John Parker.

Authorities say the 80-year-old pilot died after his single-engine plane overturned following landing at the Reno-Stead Airport on Tuesday evening.

The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office says an autopsy will be conducted to determine Parker’s cause of death.



Parker founded American Air Racing and was a participant in the Reno Air Races for more than 40 years. He won his first Reno title in 1977 with his plane Top Turkey.

Authorities say Parker was the only person in the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation safety Board are investigating the crash.

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