“Lee was a very talented pilot but, more importantly, an enthusiastic and compassionate friend and the entire Air Race family will miss him deeply,” said Mike Major, chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association. “This is a difficult day for all of us and our thoughts and prayers are with Lee’s family and friends.”

At this time, the Reno Air Racing Association will not speculate on the cause of the accident, which is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NSTB). As is standard procedure, we will evaluate all race planes prior to returning to the race course. 

Retired auto dealer, Behel lived in San Jose, Calif., He was in the Nevada Air National Guard piloting such aircraft F-4 Phantom, F-101 Voodoo, etc. Behel retired as a lieutenant colonel after spending 24 years in the military. Behel began flying in the Air Races in 1998, completing in the Sport Class as well in the Jet Class. In 2008, Behel was the Sport Class champion at Reno Air Races. 

"Lee was a very talented pilot but, more importantly, an enthusiastic and compassionate friend and the entire Air Race family will miss him deeply," said Mike Major, chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association said in a statement. "This is a difficult day for all of us and our thoughts and prayers are with Lee's family and friends."