Warbird Information Exchange

NTSB Probable Cause report is out as of 4/5/16:
http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviat ... &pgsize=50

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA133
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, February 03, 2016 in Dallas, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/05/2016
Aircraft: NORTH AMERICAN P 51, registration: N61429
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.

According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot further reported that this accident could have been prevented with a "higher degree" of diligence to checklists.


The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
•The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage during landing.

Stand by for torches and pitchforks in 3.....2.......

I really feel for the guy.
That just plain sucks.

Andy

What an unfortunate deal. I have been around three warbirds that have had pilots forget to drop the gear. Stump Jumper - a P-51 that bellied in at an airshow in Aspen, CO, the Evergreen Spitfire and now this one.

Glad I got to see her at an airshow in Colorado last year.

It's nice to hear the pilot making honest statements. The airplane will fly again. Meanwhile it can be used at the new headquarters as a find raising magnet.

Exactly what I was thinking. Kudos to him.

He's a good guy.

And this is a good reminder, many of these aircraft have the throttle quadrant switch for the gear warning horn set too low. You don't hear it until you throttle back to idle. And since often you don't actually go power off until the flare, by then it's too late.

I'd like to get that changed in the aircraft I fly at VWoC. Move it up a bit.

Dave

Checklist discipline is one of the subjects I harp on when I have our pilots in for recurrent sim training or when I'm evaluating on the line. "Memory" is for immediate-action, memory items only.

Indeed, kudos to the pilot for admitting his faux-pas.

_________________
Cheers,

Craig

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Allow me to add my personal appreciation for the pilot accepting full and unconditional responsibility. That's something we don't see or hear enough of nowadays... too often, people try to deflect one way or another. Yes, it sucks, and I am 100% positive that no one could possibly feel as terrible as he does about this, but it can and will be fixed.

Lynn

Finals check for me since day one:

"Gear down, runway clear!"
*obviously ATC and other checks earlier>>

But as is said mistakes are made "to err is human!" and she'll fly again.

*no corrosion in this beauty>>

Yeah, but you still have to wonder how many owners are going to let him take the stick after this.
Not naming names, but I do know of a warbird pilot in the UK who was involved in an incident a few years ago that he simply goofed up and caused a lot of damages, something that could have happened to any pilot. He can't fine anyone willing to let him fly for them now because of it, even modern stuff.

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

I donated to the repair fund precisely because the pilot owned up to his mistake. That needs to be encouraged.

I would trust the guy with my airplane because he is a professional and has a professional attitude. I'm sure he'll have "gear down" listed three times in the landing checklist now!

In fact, I can name a few airline pilots who have landed warbirds gear up yet we trust them with our lives daily on a jet.

I was there when this incident with the P-51 happened. He knew he made a mistake right there and was humble about it on scene. He's got plenty of retract time previous to the accident which is how come he was in the P-51 in the first place. It's kind of funny because it wasn't the kind of stress you'd have in front of a crowd, it being basically a very quiet day at Redbird. From my perspective it could happen to any of us that fly retracts. If that and always remembering your checklist doesn't make you paranoid enough to check every single time, I'm not sure what will. Personally, I'd let him fly again.

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Checklists don't always work well in a fighter once in the air. The aircraft are rarely stable, and you don't have a free hand to manipulate pages. And kneeboards can very much get in the way of stick movement and other actions (P-40 hydraulic pump).

So, we use checklists before the takeoff, yes, but after that, simple memory drills like GUMPF.

Dave

Memory checklists.

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.