Mechanical & Engine Failure · NTSB WPR11MA454

NORTH AMERICAN/AERO CLASSICS P-51D — Reno, NV

1 fatal

Date	September 16, 2011
Location	Reno, NV
Aircraft	NORTH AMERICAN/AERO CLASSICS P-51D
Purpose of flight	Air Race/Show
Conditions	Day · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrence	Prior to flight Aircraft maintenance event
Pilot age	74
Pilot total time	Unknown
Time in type	Unknown
Fatalities	1

Probable cause

The reduced stiffness of the elevator trim tab system that allowed aerodynamic flutter to occur at racing speeds. The reduced stiffness was a result of deteriorated locknut inserts that allowed the trim tab attachment screws to become loose and to initiate fatigue cracking in one screw sometime before the accident flight. Aerodynamic flutter of the trim tabs resulted in a failure of the left trim tab link assembly, elevator movement, high flight loads, and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident were the undocumented and untested major modifications to the airplane and the pilot’s operation of the airplane in the unique air racing environment without adequate flight testing.

NTSB findings

Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Empennage structure-Tab structure (on elevator)-Failure
Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Empennage structure-Elevator/tab attach fitting-Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-(general)-Pilot
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not specified
Organizational issues-Support/oversight/monitoring-Documentation/record keeping-(general)-FAA/Regulator
Environmental issues-Operating environment-Airport facilities/design-(general)-Contributed to outcome

What happened

The Safety Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/reports.html. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAB-12/01.

On September 16, 2011, about 1625 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, single-seat North American P-51D, N79111, collided with the airport ramp in the spectator box seating area following a loss of control during the National Championship Air Races unlimited class gold race at the Reno/Stead Airport (RTS), Reno, Nevada. The airplane was registered to Aero-Trans Corp (dba Leeward Aeronautical Sales), Ocala, Florida, and operated by the commercial pilot as Race 177, The Galloping Ghost, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot and 10 people on the ground sustained fatal injuries, and at least 64 people on the ground were injured (at least 16 of whom were reported to have sustained serious injuries). The airplane sustained substantial damage, fragmenting upon collision with the ramp. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local air race flight, which departed RTS about 10 minutes before the accident.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.

View the official NTSB docket →