# NTSB LAX93LA047: North American F-51D, N117E, Wellington, NV, November 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1992, 09:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Wellington, NV
- Coordinates: 38.699058, -119.320922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6991&lon=-119.3209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA047

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF HIS AIRPLANE DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER WITH INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

ON A CLEAR DAY THE PILOT FLEW HIS AIRPLANE, WHICH HAD A 1,650 HP ENGINE, OVER AN OPEN FIELD WHERE CATTLE WERE LOCATED.  A WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING THE AIRPLANE MAKE TWO LOW ALTITUDE PASSES.  DURING THE SECOND PASS THE AIRPLANE PERFORMED A ROLL AND THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND BURNED.  WRECKAGE WAS FOUND OVER A 736 FOOT LONG PATH.  NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117E-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 44-73832, built 1944 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44 73832
- Airframe hours: 2570
- Engines: Rolls-Royce V-1650-7 1650 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harvey E. Hunewill
- Registered owner: H. E. Hunewill Constr Co Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: N59, SMITH, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19921121047489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921121047489A), Nov 21, 1992: Namer F51D, Wellington, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control during low level acrobatic roll. Exploded and burned on ground impact.

## Other investigations on N117E (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA78FKQ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKQ05), Feb 15, 1978: N.American P-51 (N117E), Ellisville, MS, substantial damage

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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