# NTSB FTW95LA040: Fighter Escort Wings P-51D, N51K, Seymour, TX, November 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1994, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Seymour, TX
- Coordinates: 33.589366, -99.24987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5894&lon=-99.2499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA040

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER SPEED UNIT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,prop control unit - failure (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT HEARD A 'LOUD POP' FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT FOLLOWED HIS FORCED LANDING PROCEDURES AND LANDED IN THE ONLY AVAILABLE AREA. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, BOTH MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE PROPELLER SPEED CONTROL UNIT HAD FAILED.

## Factual narrative

On November 10, 1994, at 0930 central standard time, a home built 2/3rds scale P-51D, N51K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Seymour, Texas.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight.  There was no flight plan filed.

In the pilot/operator report, the pilot stated that he was in cruise flight at 4,500 feet MSL with "everything indicating normal."  Approximately 49 minutes after takeoff "a pop was heard and the engine began to overspeed.  The power was reduced to 4,500 RPM"; however, "altitude could not be maintained."  The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing to a field, during which both main landing gear collapsed.

An examination, by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, of the aircraft revealed that the propeller speed reduction unit had failed.

The aircraft experienced damage to the frame, landing gear, and wings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51K-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 001, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FIGHTER ESCORT WINGS LTD P-51D
- Registry model: [Fighter Escort Wings P-51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/fighter-escort-wings-p-51d) (registry code 05618YT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 320
- Engines: CHEVROLET 350 HO 223 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jim Kern
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1994, 30 hours before
- Departed: ADM, ARDMORE, OK
- Destination: 5T6, SANTA TERESA, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,400 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,311 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °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 19941110046559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941110046559A), Nov 10, 1994: Namer P51D, Seymour, TX, Substantial damage. Loud pop power loss. Landing gear collapsed landing rough terrain. Prop speed control unit failed.

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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