# NTSB LAX89DVD02: War Replicas P-51, N51K, Tracy, CA, February 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1989, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.730644, -121.419456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7306&lon=-121.4195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVD02

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE AILERON CONTROLS OF THIS HOMEBUILT ACFT BY THE PILOT/MANUFACTURER WHICH LED TO THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INEXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HALF-SCALE P-51 AIRPLANE WHILE TURNING FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE AILERON CONTROL BELLCRANK WAS NOT INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECORDS HELD BY THE PILOT/MANUFACTURER. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING BOTH AILERONS AND THE WINGS FLUTTERING BEFORE THE CRASH. EVIDENCE INDICATED AILERON OVERTRAVEL. THE COCKPIT CONTROL STICK WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CONTROL TRAVEL STOPS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - flight control,aileron attachment - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,aileron - flutter (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51K-1991-10-28), registration cancelled 1991-10-28, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WAR REPLICAS P-51
- Registry model: [War Aircraft Replicas P51](https://openairdocs.org/model/war-aircraft-replicas-p51) (registry code 1690476) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 9
- Engines: HONDA 1829CC 104 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter M. Nieber
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 036, TRACY, CA
- Airport: 036, Tracy, runway 29, 3,680 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 622 total, 9 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F

## 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 19890204001999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890204001999A), Feb 4, 1989: Wara/C P51HALFSIZE, Tracy, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Developed aileron flutter and lost control on high speed pass. Aileron bellcranks installed incorrectly.

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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