North American P-51D accident near Reno, NV
On September 12, 1994, a North American P-51D (airplane) was involved in an accident near Reno, NV. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 12, 1994
- Place
- Reno, NV
- Aircraft
- North American P-51D · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.711°N, 119.819°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X02287
NTSB summary
On September 12, 1994, at 1317 hours Pacific daylight time, a North American P-51D, N51U, collided with level terrain while approaching runway 8 at the Reno-Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The airplane was being operated by the pilot/owner while taking part in the Reno Air Races. The pilot was participating in qualification heats when the accident occurred. The airplane was destroyed and the certificated private pilot received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight originated at the Reno-Stead Airport about 1300 hours. According to race control authorities, the pilot pulled up off the race course and transmitted a "Mayday" distress call. The pilot indicated the airplane's windscreen was covered with oil and he could not see. Race control cleared the pilot to land any runway. The pilot indicated he was landing on runway 8. Another race pilot was maneuvering his airplane to join the accident airplane and planned to assist the accident pilot land on the runway. The other pilot noticed the accident pilot's airplane was right of the runway extended centerline and informed the accident pilot he should turn left. The accident airplane's rate of descent was then noted to "increase sharply." The accident airplane was observed by witnesses to collide with the ground in a "20-25 degree" nose-down attitude. According to witnesses, the airplane struck the ground on the main landing gear and propeller, and then broke apart. Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)conducted an on-scene examination of the wreckage. The wreckage path
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted forced landing. Factors in the accident were the failure of a propeller blade-feathering oil seal which leaked oil on the windshield, obscuring the pilot's vision.
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Browse: Nevada · North American aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
