# NTSB LAX07CA266: American Air Racing Thunder Mustang, N351F, Reno, NV, September 4, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2007, 17:00 local (Sep 4, 2007, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.667221, -119.876113 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6672&lon=-119.8761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66605 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66605/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA266 ## Probable cause Fire resulting from vegetation contacting hot brakes following an aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - inoperative - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (cause) - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - open field - landing gear,normal brake system - overtemperature (cause) - Fire, standing - engine(s) not operating - landing gear,normal brake system - overtemperature (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (cause) ## Analysis The airplane overran the runway's departure end during an aborted takeoff. When the airplane came to a stop in the adjacent field, brush was ignited by the airplane's hot brakes. The resulting fire destroyed the airplane. During the takeoff roll, the pilot observed that the airspeed indicator was inoperative, and he aborted the takeoff. As the airplane decelerated from an estimated speed of 100 miles per hour, the brakes became progressively hotter, and the rate of deceleration became slower. The airplane came to a stop 300 to 400 feet after overrunning the runway's end. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2007, about 1700 Pacific daylight time, an American Air Racing, LTD, Thunder Mustang, N351F, was destroyed by fire during an aborted takeoff at the Reno/Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The airplane was owned and operated by the airline transport certificated pilot, and he was not injured during the personal flight in his experimental, amateur built airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The local area flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot indicated that he commenced the takeoff ground roll within a few hundred feet west of runway 26's threshold. Runway 26 is 7,608 feet long and 150 feet wide. As the 1,000-horsepower engine accelerated the airplane down the runway, the pilot observed that the airspeed indicator was inoperative. The pilot quickly evaluated his go, no-go options, and he decided to abort the takeoff; the airplane was still on the ground although its tail was already raised. The pilot reported that he applied the brakes, and the airplane decelerated from about 100 miles per hour while tracking down the runway. By the time the airplane reached the runway's departure end, the brakes had overheated, and the rate of deceleration decreased. The airplane came to a stop in a field an estimated 300 to 400 feet beyond the runway's end. The pilot reported that the right brake was so hot that a fire erupted when it contacted sage brush. The fire quickly spread and within a few minutes destroyed the airplane. The pilot reported that he was preparing to participate in the upcoming Reno Air Races. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N351F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N351F-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N BITMO12, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Air Racing Thunder Mustang - Registry model: [American Air Racing THUNDER MUSTANG](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-air-racing-thunder-mustang) (registry code 05610QV) (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: BITO12 - Engines: Falconer Engineering V12023 reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John G. Parker - Registered owner: Tm-1 Ltd. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 4SD, Reno, NV - Destination: 4SD, Reno, NV - Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead, runway 26, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 31,000 total, 130 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20070903022399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070903022399A), Sep 3, 2007: Amtr MUSTANGTHUND, Reno, NV, Destroyed. (-23) During takeoff from runway 26, the pilot noticed the airspeed indicator was inoperative. At the approximate midfield point, the takeoff was aborted. The… 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.