# NTSB FTW89DPA04: North American F-51, N51VP, Denton, TX, September 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1989, 16:24 local (21:24 UTC)
- Place: Denton, TX
- Coordinates: 33.209415, -97.130599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2094&lon=-97.1306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22694
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DPA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22694/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DPA04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO DETECT WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE PREFLIGHT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT TAXIED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY AND PERFORMED A NORMAL PRE-TAKEOFF RUN UP. THE AIRCRAFT WAS VIEWED BY NUMEROUS PILOTS TO DEPART TO THE SOUTH AND MAKE A NORMAL RIGHT CLIMBING TURN. DURING THE CLIMB TO THE SOUTHWEST, THE WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE SURGE AND STOP. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TO LEVEL AND DESCEND AS IT CONTINUED THE RIGHT TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. IT WAS OBSERVED TO STALL AT APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET AGL PRIOR TO IMPACTING INTO THE OPEN FIELD ADJACENT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT HAD NOT SUMPED THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE AIRCRAFT PRE-FLIGHT. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND POWERPLANT DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51VP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN F-51
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-73142
- Engines: Rolls-Royce V-1650-9A 1000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vernon Peterson, doing business as Jon Bradford
- Registered owner: J. Bradford Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Airport: DTO, Denton Municipal, runway 17, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 30,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890906033919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890906033919A), Sep 6, 1989: Namer F51, Denton, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine faltered on climb out,stalled and cartwheeled on ground impact trying to return. Large amount water in fuel.

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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