Redline Air Shows Pilot Jon Thocker Killed in Friday Night's Crash

CULPEPER, VA — Redline Air Shows Pilot Jon Thocker has died following a crash Friday night during a night performance at the Culpeper Air Fest. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Redline Air Shows is a dynamic two-ship formation aerobatic team with more than 12 years of experience. Jon was a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, retired from a 25-year career as an airline captain.

The team had performed more than a dozen air shows already in 2018, and had just recently unveiled and began flying their new Vans RV-8’s, which team Redline built themselves. One of the team’s specialties includes night performances with pyrotechnics, which Ken and Jon were showcasing at the time of the crash.

Ken Rieder and Jon Thocker perform their night show earlier this year.

The Culpeper Air Fest has announced a decision for Saturday’s show will be announced this morning, so stay tuned to our social media as well as the Culpeper Air Fest’s social media for the latest updates.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jon’s friend and family, as well as best friend and teammate Ken Rieder.

Pictured is Jon’s new RV-8, which he recently finished and began flying earlier this year.