Bright Aerobatic 'Star' Lost In California Landing Accident

March 23, 2006 — Aerobatic pilot Nick Nilmeyer was tragically killed Tuesday, March 21, while attempting to land his Extra 300 S at Wayne Handley's "Club Metz," airstrip near Greenfield, California. He was 23. Nilmeyer, of San Martin, California, performed at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh as a part of the Stars of Tomorrow group in 2003 and 2005 and was widely regarded as a bona fide, up-and-coming pilot on the air show circuit. He was also a former Young Eagle (1997), an EAA Air Academy graduate (1998), and Young Eagle pilot, credited with 10 missions.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration continue looking into the cause of the crash.

Nick's family has asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in his name to the EAA Young Eagles and ICAS Foundation scholarship programs.