# NTSB DFW08CA202: North American P-51D, N551W, Tulsa, OK, July 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2008, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Tulsa, OK - Coordinates: 36.039443, -95.984443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0394&lon=-95.9844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68575 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68575/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA202 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [North American P-51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=6402319), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [North American P-51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=6402319), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [North American P-51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=6402319), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [North American P-51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=6402319), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [North American P-51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6402319), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot began his takeoff roll on a maintenance test flight. During the ground roll and near rotation speed, the pilot moved his hand from the throttle to the gear handle. The pilot reported that the throttle friction lock was not properly set and the throttle experienced "throttle creep" reducing engine power. The pilot advanced the throttle, at which time the airplane became airborne and began to torque roll. An aborted takeoff was executed by the pilot and the airplane touched down off of the runway. The airplane came to rest after contacting the airfield perimeter fence. Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing and left horizontal stabilizer. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot began his takeoff roll on a maintenance test flight. During the ground roll and near rotation speed, the pilot moved his hand from the throttle to the gear handle. The pilot reported that the throttle friction lock was not properly set and the throttle experienced "throttle creep" reducing engine power. The pilot advanced the throttle at which time the airplane became airborne and began to torque roll. An aborted takeoff was executed by the pilot and the airplane touched down off of the runway. The airplane came to rest after contacting the airfield perimeter fence. Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing and left horizontal stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N551W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N551W), registered now, S/N 109-28618, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: North American P-51D - Registry model: [North American P-51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-p-51d) (registry code 6402319) (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: 109-28618 - Engines: Rolls-Royce V-1650-7 1180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Latshaw Drilling & Exploration Co - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special) - Departed: RVS, Tulsa, OK - Destination: Tulsa, OK - Airport: RVS, Richard Lloyd Jones Jr, runway 19L, 4,208 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 5,800 total, 57 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: RVS ## 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 20080729841539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080729841539A), Jul 29, 2008: Namer P51D, Tulsa, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed runway after the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff due to a power loss. Loss of control resulted in aircraft accident. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.