# NTSB LAX89LA173: North American P-51D, N151D, Travis Afb, CA, April 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1989, 20:00 local (Apr 26, 1989, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Travis Afb, CA
- Coordinates: 38.280853, -121.920333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2809&lon=-121.9203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA173

## Probable cause

THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR FAILING TO FULLY EXTEND FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN ITS COLLAPSING DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHEN THE PILOT EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR FOR LANDING, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR DID NOT FULLY EXTEND. DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. DURING THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION, THE AIRPLANE WAS LIFTED ONTO SUPPORTS, THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND RETRACTED BY USE OF THE GEAR MECHANISM. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N151D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N151D), registered now, S/N 44-72777, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN P-51D
- Registry model: [North American/Aero Classics P-51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-aero-classics-p-51d) (registry code 6402304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pkrd-Roll V1650 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pkrd-roll-v1650-series) (registry code 49001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-72777
- Airframe hours: 1390
- Engines: PACKARD V-1650-7 1500 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven C. Seghetti
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Airport: Travis Afb, runway 21R, 11,000 × 300 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,107 total, 55 in this make and model, 1,085 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUU

## 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 19890425012849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890425012849A), Apr 25, 1989: Namer P51D, Fairfield, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to get left gear lock down for landing. The left main collapsed on landing. No gear defects found.

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.