# NTSB LAX85LA343: North American F-51D, N6175C, Van Nuys, CA, August 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1985, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.190715, -118.489562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1907&lon=-118.4896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA343

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE HIS FIRST, SOLO, TAKE OFF IN THE F-51D MODEL ACFT. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE & IMMEDIATELY ATTAINED A NOISE HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE. THE ANGLE OF ATTACK WAS THEN REDUCED & THE ACFT BOUNCED HARD OFF THE RWY BLOWING OUT ITS RIGHT MAIN TIRE. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT, & AS IT YAWED LEFT, DRAGGING ITS WING TIP ON THE GROUND, IT VEERED OFF THE RWY & COLLIDED WITH THE ARPT'S VASI INSTALLATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6175C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN F-51D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 45-11558
- Airframe hours: 2813
- Engines: Rolls-Royce V1650-7 1490 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Kastaroff
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 290 total, 124 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY

## 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 19850806036889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850806036889A), Aug 6, 1985: Namer F51D, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Early liftoff caused a bounce and torque roll. Left wing tip contacted the ground. Aircraft hit a VASI installation

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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