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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 19, 2010 · Giboney Thunder Mustang · N151G

Reno, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Reno, NV
Aircraft
Giboney Thunder Mustang
Tail Number
N151G
Operator
George a Giboney Jr
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR10LA468

The pilot reported that he was flying as one of a group of seven airplanes in an air race, and, during lap four, the engine lost all power. The pilot increased altitude to 2,000 feet above ground level and entered the landing pattern but had to extend his downwind to avoid traffic still on the race course. The wind took him further away from the runway than he intended so that when he turned toward the runway, he could not complete the turn to the runway heading, and intercepted the runway on a 50-degree angle at an intersection with another runway. The airplane rolled across the intersection, onto a taxiway, and continued onto a dirt ramp before cartwheeling and coming to rest in the dirt about halfway between the taxiway and the runway. Postaccident examination of the engine found that a connecting rod bearing and two connecting rods in the engine fractured and separated, which resulted in the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of a connecting rod bearing and two connecting rods, which resulted in a loss of engine power while maneuvering at low altitude.

Full Narrative

On September 19, 2010, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Giboney Thunder Mustang, N151G, collided with terrain during landing at Reno/Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The local air race flight departed about 1545. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was flying as one of a group of seven airplanes in a race at the Reno National Championship Air Races. He was passing pylon 5 on lap four when the airplane’s engine lost all power. He climbed the airplane to 2,000 feet above ground level (agl). Based on his position and the wind direction, he decided to land on runway 26. He entered the landing pattern, but had to extend his downwind to avoid traffic still on the race course. The wind took him further away from the runway than he intended. When he turned toward the runway, he had insufficient altitude to align with the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane was heading 210° when it touched down on the east side of the intersection of runway 26 and runway 14/32. The airplane rolled across the intersection and onto taxiway A1. The airplane continued across the taxiway onto a dirt ramp, which pitched the airplane up into the air, but below flying speed. He maintained full right rudder and full up elevator; the right wing dropped until it contacted the ground. The airplane cartwheeled twice, and the airplane came to rest in the dirt about halfway between taxiway A1 and runway 26. The pilot reported that a connecting rod bearing and two connecting rods fractured and separated.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PDT
Nearest AirportReno Stead (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length9000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGiboney Thunder Mustang
Tail NumberN151G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGeorge a Giboney Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFalconer · V-12 · Reciprocating · 1000
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 19 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 18000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data