# NTSB DEN84FA222: North American P-51D, N5449V, Carbondale, CO, July 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1984, 09:43 local (15:43 UTC)
- Place: Carbondale, CO
- Coordinates: 39.39019, -107.210304 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3902&lon=-107.2103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA222

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS IN A P-51D THAT HAD BEEN MODIFIED FOR RACING & EXHIBITION. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD JUST COMPLETED SEVERAL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS BEFORE IT BEGAN A VERTICAL CLIMB. THE CLIMB WAS TERMINATED AT ABOUT 3000 FT, THEN THE ACFT WENT INTO A NOSE DOWN SPIN. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SPIN UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT HANDBOOK STATES THAT POWER OFF SPINS ARE PERMITTED WHEN STARTED ABOVE 12,000 FT, BUT POWER ON SPINS & SNAP ROLLS ARE PROHIBITED. STALLS ARE COMPARATIVELY MILD & THE ACFT HAS VERY LITTLE TENDENCY TO DROP INTO A SPIN. DURING RECOVERY FROM POWER OFF SPINS, THE ACFT NORMALLY STOPS SPINNING IN 1 TO 1-1/4 TURNS AFTER RECOVERY CONTROLS ARE APPLIED. POWER ON SPINS REQUIRE AS MANY AS 5 TO 6 TURNS & 9000 TO 10,000 FT TO RECOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5449V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5449V-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 44-73196N, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN P-51D
- Registry model: [North American/Aero Classics P-51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-aero-classics-p-51d) (registry code 6402304) (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: 44-73196N
- Engines: PACKARD V-1650-7 1490 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Earl Ketchen
- Registered owner: Donald C. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1984, 0 hours before
- Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,251 total, 197 in this make and model, 6,607 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 21 nm away

## 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 19840715032279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840715032279A), Jul 15, 1984: Namer P51D, Carbondale, CO, Destroyed. At top of loop, aircraft dropped and went into a spin. Altitude not sufficient for recovery.

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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