I'm sure they'll look at the event as will NTSB, but I don't think there's an actual mandate for safety gear in warbirds above and beyond what's required under 91.

I took the lack of helmet/life vest as a possible flag on the operator's attitude and approach to safety (a la collins foundation). But that's just gut reaction from the photo.


They did recover the plane, if nothing else it still has a future as a static display...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i27CN9uVIS4