# Accident 20110916023789A: North American/Aero Classics P-51D, Reno, NV, September 16, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 16, 2011, 16:26 local time
- Place: Reno, NV
- Airport: Reno Stead
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.6681° N, 119.8764° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6681&lon=-119.8764&mi=10
- Aircraft: N79111, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79111-2020-03-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: North American/Aero Classics P-51D (registry code 6402304, https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-aero-classics-p-51d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN/AERO CLASSICS P-51D
- Reported engine: AMA/EXPR PACKARD ROLLS ROYCE
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 12
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 13,800 total, 2,700 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR11MA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11MA454) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110916023789A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DURING THE 3RD LAP OF THE UNLIMITED CLASS RENO AIR RACE, A PORTION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S ELEVATOR TRIM TAB SEPARATED FROM THE ELEVATOR CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ABRUPTLY PITCH UP.  THE G-LOAD CAUSED THE PILOT TO BLACK OUT AND CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOST.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN THE SPECTATOR VIEWING AREA KILLING THE PILOT, 11 SPECTATORS AND INJURING 61 OTHERS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR11MA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11MA454), Sep 16, 2011: North American/Aero Classics P-51D (N79111), Reno, NV, substantial damage, 11 fatal. Probable cause: The reduced stiffness of the elevator trim tab system that allowed aerodynamic flutter to occur at racing speeds. The reduced stiffness was a result of deteriorated locknut inserts that allowed the…

## Other reports on N79111 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19800904068669I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800904068669I), Sep 4, 1980: Namer P51D (N79111), Van Nuys, CA, Minor damage. Engine stopped after takeoff. Probable cause of failure was the carburetor.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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