This happens at least once a year, I swear. Like "Pope Prays for Peace" or "Bus Plunge in Andes Kills 37", it's guaranteed to happen like clockwork.

I couldn't agree more but people just insist on it. Speedboat races too! When it comes to airshow crashes the Ukrainians get the best footage though.

+ Watch video

You gotta love how former-Soviets play fast and loose with the multi-million dollar SU Flankers.

Maybe the pilot was just a fan of cotton candy and forgot that he was still in the plane.

@Priam: Or he was reeeeally eager to ride the carousel.

You are all silly. Why don't you stop driving too? 40,000 deaths a year in the US and hundreds of thousands of serious injuries. The only reason anything seems like "clockwork" is because the media unfailingly covers these dramatic incidents. Air shows are the largest spectator-sport in the world (only NASCAR has better attendance) and they are safe, despite the occasional accident. Grow up.

@Hez: My grandfather is a pilot, and on top of that, I actually don't drive. So please don't call me silly, Airshow Lobbyist. And if you're commenting about stuff on Gawker, you're probably not as "grown up" as you'd have people believe either. Airshows are probably pretty safe, but seriously, it's Gawker. We snark here, despite the occasional bit of earnestness. Grow a pair.

@Hez: Agreed,Hez. Air show accidents probably get more press because they're dramatic. Big woo. But, having lived in Spain for almost 20 years, it always amazes me that the AIRSHOWCARNAGE!!! shit always got more coverage than, say "Socialist politician shot dead", for example , an incident of which happened just a month ago. A lot easier to go gaga about a plane crash than have to explain why, in Europe, in 2008, people are still murdering each other because of the political party they belong to. And why the Times still insists on referring to the people who pull the trigger, as "militants, activists, " etc.

@bandit: I am marinating on your prideful claim that only NASCAR has better attendance.

@bandit: I'm with Hez. My father was an aerobatic champion who taught us to do stalls before we were old enough to drive. Or, come to think of it, go to school by ourselves. Airshows do have a low fatality rate, particularly relative to, say, ice dancing, but the fatalities tend to be spectacular when they occur and draw media notice. And when Gawker notices, it snarks. That's just a given. Pointing out we're snarky on Gawker is a perfect tautology.

@vulturesquadron: No, s/he's right. Abbotsford is nowheresville, but they'll get a hundred thousand people out for a show. And that only counts official attendance; airshows are easily enjoyed from a rise just outside the paid area.

@raincoaster: I meant HIGH relative to ice dancing, low relative to NASCAR actually. ANd lower than Three Day eventing, surprisingly enough. But careening Hanoverians rarely take out spectators, nor do Thoroughbreds explode in huge fireballs.

@SarahHeartburn:
Or "Britney to Divorce!!" or "Amy Winehouse In Police Custody"..