Thunder Mustang TM-1 accident near Santa Clarita, CA
On January 4, 2020, a Thunder Mustang TM-1 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Santa Clarita, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- January 4, 2020
- Place
- Santa Clarita, CA
- Aircraft
- Thunder Mustang TM-1 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.366°N, 118.502°W
- NTSB ID
- 20200104X54406
Official records · WPR20FA057
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn January 4, 2020, about 1009, Pacific standard time, an experimental amateur-built TM-1 Thunder Mustang airplane, N151WR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Santa Clarita, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was cleared for takeoff and instructed to maintain at or below 2,500 ft mean sea level (msl) until north of the airport. On departure, the airplane was approved a frequency change. However, the airplane turned back towards the airport and the pilot re-established communication with the tower controller. The pilot reported that he “had smoke out of the right stack,” and then advised the controller that he was “going to have to put her down.” The controller asked for his position and the pilot responded, “over Newhall.” The pilot further reported that he could not see anything and that he lost power to his engine. The controller acknowledged and then the pilot stated that “I am going to have to put it down on,” when the transmission was cut off. A witness observed the airplane maneuvering at a low altitude with smoke trailing from the airplane just before impact. He stated the airplane appeared to be under control. The airplane struck a tall tree and subsequently came to rest in a grassy field located in the median of an interstate’s off-ramp cloverleaf roadway. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe low-wing airplane was powered by a Falconer V12 liquid cooled engine. The engine was equipped with a four-bladed, variable pitch propeller.
Probable cause
Engine detonation that resulted in material deformation of the crankcase and led to engine failure and restricted cockpit visibility.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
