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NTSB Report
February 4, 1989 · War Replicas P-51 · N51K
Tracy, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 4, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Tracy, CA
Aircraft
War Replicas P-51
Tail Number
N51K
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89DVD02
DURING A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HALF-SCALE P-51 AIRPLANE WHILE TURNING FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE AILERON CONTROL BELLCRANK WAS NOT INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECORDS HELD BY THE PILOT/MANUFACTURER. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING BOTH AILERONS AND THE WINGS FLUTTERING BEFORE THE CRASH. EVIDENCE INDICATED AILERON OVERTRAVEL. THE COCKPIT CONTROL STICK WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CONTROL TRAVEL STOPS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE AILERON CONTROLS OF THIS HOMEBUILT ACFT BY THE PILOT/MANUFACTURER WHICH LED TO THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INEXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HALF-SCALE P-51 AIRPLANE WHILE TURNING FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE AILERON CONTROL BELLCRANK WAS NOT INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECORDS HELD BY THE PILOT/MANUFACTURER. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING BOTH AILERONS AND THE WINGS FLUTTERING BEFORE THE CRASH. EVIDENCE INDICATED AILERON OVERTRAVEL. THE COCKPIT CONTROL STICK WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CONTROL TRAVEL STOPS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 PST
Nearest AirportTRACY (0nm WNW)
Runway29
Runway Length3680 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftWar Replicas P-51
Tail NumberN51K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHonda · 1829CC · Reciprocating · 104
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT