# NTSB GAA16CA133: North American P 51, N61429, Dallas, TX, February 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 3, 2016, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Dallas, TX - Coordinates: 32.679443, -96.866111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6794&lon=-96.8661&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92735/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92735 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA133 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [North American P-51C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=6402302), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [North American P-51C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=6402302), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [North American P-51C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=6402302), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [North American P-51C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=6402302), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [North American P-51C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=6402302), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [North American P-51C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=6402302), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that this accident could have been prevented with a "higher degree" of diligence to checklists. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that this accident could have been prevented with a "higher degree" of diligence to checklists. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61429](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61429), registered now, S/N 103-26199, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN P 51 (C) - Registry model: [North American P-51C](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-p-51c) (registry code 6402302) (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: 103-26199 - Year built: 1942 - Engines: ROLLS ROYCE V-1650-7 1497 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: American Air Power Heritage Flying Muse - Registered owner: American Air Power Heritage Flying Muse - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special) - Departed: RBD, Dallas, TX - Destination: RBD, Dallas, TX - Airport: RBD, Dallas Executive, runway 35, 3,800 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2014; seat: front; flight hours: 1,815 total, 187 in this make and model, 5.8 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 13 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KRBD ## 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 20160203001879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160203001879A), Feb 3, 2016: North American P-51C, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. On February 3, 2016, a two-seat P-51C ?mustang? Aircraft departed Dallas Executive Airport (krbd) for a thirty minute flight south of the air field. There was… ## Other investigations on N61429 (1) 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 CHI04LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA128), May 29, 2004: North American P-51C (N61429), Hager City, WI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The improper installation of the camshaft drive gear assembly which resulted in the retaining nut backing off allowing the drive gear to move up the shaft. A factor associated with the accident was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 24, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92735. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438012&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438013&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.