Pilot nearly decapitated at air show

Thom Richard was taking part in the Reno National Championship Air Race when the shocking incident occurred.

He was experiencing engine difficulties in the Gold Formula One event in Nevada on Sunday while getting ready for take-off.

Richard signalled the starters to halt the process as he would not be able to fly.

Unfortunately, three pilots behind him did not receive the message.

A GoPro attached to his cockpit captured the entire incident.

Footage shows Richard opening his cockpit, unaware that the planes are speeding towards him as they attempt to take-off.

The wing of one of the planes narrowly misses his head after hitting his plane. 

Richard took to Facebook to detail the scary incident, saying the impact was “violent and loud”.

He says he noticed his engine had problems while trying to run it up in anticipation of the start.

“About 20 seconds before the green flag drop, the engine was not running well enough for flight... I made the decision to shut the engine down to signal the starters to halt the starting process. The flagman on my row put his hands in an ‘X’ over his head, as our procedures prescribe, and I opened my canopy to make it clear I was out of the race and so everyone could see me… I felt confident the communications had reached the appropriate people and waited for personnel to push me off the runway,” he wrote.

Richard says he is lucky to be alive. 

“I’m not the slightest bit upset over the accident. I, in fact, consider myself a very lucky man. Another four feet to the left and I would have been minced meat. Literally dodging a bullet. A busted up hand is a small price to pay. I’ll take it. It’ll heal.”

The other pilot was not injured in the incident. Both planes were severely damaged.

Watch footage of Richard’s near miss below.

Warning: This footage contains strong language.