Air Racing Pilots Narrowly Avoid Serious Injury in Runway Accident

— -- The two pilots never saw it coming.

Eight air racing airplanes were in formation for take off on Sunday in Nevada when pilot Thom Richard noticed his engine was not running properly.

He shut down his engine and signaled to officials to halt take off, but communication to the other pilots broke down and the planes began to take off around him, Richard told ABC News.

A fellow pilot's aircraft struck Richard's plane from behind at 60 miles per hour, shearing off the canopy.

Video from inside the aircraft shows the left wing missing Richard's head by just inches.

Only minor injuries were reported, with both pilots walking away.

ABC News' Becky Perlow contributed to this report.