# NTSB LAX82DXQ13: North American F-51D, N51JW, Elko, NV, September 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1982, 12:01 local (17:01 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Location: 40.8381° N, 115.7678° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elko, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8381&lon=-115.7678&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DXQ13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DXQ13

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT FLEW DOWN THE LENGTH OF RWY 06 ABOUT 100 FT AGL, PULLED UP & DID AN 8-POINT ROLL WHILE CLIMBING. HE THEN FLEW DOWN RWY 12 & PULLED UP. AFTER A BRIEF CLIMB THE PLT BEGAN A SLOW ROLL TO THE LEFT. JUST AS THE ACFT BECAME INVERTED THE ROLL STOPPED & THE WINGS WAGGED ERRATICALLY WITH THE NOSE DROPPING TO NEARLY HORIZONTAL. THE NOSE WAS THEN PUSHED DOWN WITH THE PLANE STILL INVERTED. THE ACFT ACCELERATED THROUGH THE VERTICAL & SIMULTANEOUSLY BEGAN TO PULL UP & ROLL LEVEL PRIOR TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51JW-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 45-11546, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN F-51D
- Registry model: [North American F-51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-f-51d) (registry code 6402309) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pkrd-Roll V1650 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pkrd-roll-v1650-series) (registry code 49001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 45-11546
- Engines: PACKARD V-1650 1490 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Wright
- Registered owner: John Wright
- Departed: CARSON CITY, NV
- Destination: RENO-ELKO, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820911045099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820911045099A), Sep 11, 1982: Namer F51D, Elko, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot lost control during unauthorized low level roll. Airplane dived into ground.

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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