# Accident 20200104003219A: Balz Gunther W TM-1 THUNDER MUSTANG, Santa Clarita, CA, January 4, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 4, 2020, 10:08 local time
- Place: Santa Clarita, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.3658° N, 118.5025° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3658&lon=-118.5025&mi=10
- Aircraft: N151WR, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N151WR-2020-04-17) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Balz Gunther W TM-1 THUNDER MUSTANG (registry code 056111B, https://openairdocs.org/model/balz-gunther-w-tm-1-thunder-mustang) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALZ GUNTHER W TM-1 THUNDER MUSTANG
- Reported engine: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR20FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA057) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200104003219A

## Narrative

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

AFTER DEPARTURE, THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE VNY TOWER THAT HE HAD SMOKE OUT OF THE RIGHT STACK.  THE PILOT THEN STATED HE COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING AND WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PUT HER DOWN.

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE AND AN ATTEMPTED OFF-AIRPORT LANDING.  JUST PRIOR TO LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE WITH THE RIGHT WING, SHEARING OFF A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE WING TIP.  THE IMPACT WITH THE GROUND RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT BEING DESTROYED AND THE PILOT FATALLY INJURED.

## 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 WPR20FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA057), Jan 4, 2020: Thunder Mustang TM-1 (N151WR), Santa Clarita, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: Engine detonation that resulted in material deformation of the crankcase and led to engine failure and restricted cockpit visibility.

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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