# NTSB CHI89DET03: North American F-51D, N51TK, Fort Wayne, IN, April 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1989, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Location: 40.9785° N, 85.1952° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FORT WAYNE INTL (FWA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9785&lon=-85.1952&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DET03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DET03

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE CROSSWIND TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PREMATURE LIFT OFF AND THE CROSSWIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51TK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51TK), registered now, S/N 44-63350 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN F-51D
- Registry model: [North American F-51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-f-51d) (registry code 6402309) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce V-1650-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-v-1650-7) (registry code 54558, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-63350
- Airframe hours: 2579
- Engines: Rolls-Royce V-1650-7 1495 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald A. Riggi
- Registered owner: International Aircraft Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Destination: 5B2, SARATOGA SPRING, NY
- Airport: FWA, Fort Wayne Municipal, runway 32, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 839 total, 114 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890411007639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890411007639A), Apr 11, 1989: Namer F51D, Fort Wayne, IN, Substantial damage. Lost control on liftoff, dragged wing.

## Other investigations on N51TK (2)

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 SEA07LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA196), Jul 15, 2007: North American F-51D (N51TK), Camarillo, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane.
- [NTSB CHI95LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA064), Dec 29, 1994: North American F-51D (N51TK), Round Lake, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: fuel starvation resulting from exhaustion of the fuel supply in the left tank. A factor related to the accident was insufficient altitude to switch fuel tanks and effect an engine restart.

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.

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