# NTSB LAX95LA021: North American-Barene P-51-D, N4451C, Victorville, CA, October 28, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1994, 11:12 local (18:12 UTC)
- Place: Victorville, CA
- Coordinates: 34.570396, -117.329742 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5704&lon=-117.3297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA021

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS COMPLETING A VISUAL FLIGHT RULES PERSONAL FLIGHT.  BEFORE LANDING THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT OBSERVED THE SURFACE WINDS WERE 90 DEGREES TO THE LANDING RUNWAY.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND LOOPED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO GO-AROUND.

## Factual narrative

On October 28, 1994, at 1112 hours Pacific daylight time, a North American/Barone P-51-D, N4451C, lost control and ground looped during the landing roll on runway 18 at Southern California Airport, Victorville, California.  The pilot was completing a local visual flight rules personal flight.  The airplane, registered to and operated by Barone Bros. Partnership, San Bernardino, California, sustained substantial damage.  Neither the certificated commercial pilot nor his passenger was injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Apple Valley Airport, Apple Valley, California, at 1055 hours.

The pilot reported in the accident report that when he flew over the airport he observed the winds were from the right at 90 degrees to the landing runway.  While on final approach to runway 18, the pilot observed that the surface winds were stronger at the runway threshold.  The pilot landed the airplane on its wheels in a right wing-down attitude.  The pilot applied power to execute a go-around, but the airplane turned to the left and ground looped.  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4451C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4451C-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 003, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: North American-Barene P-51-D
- Registry model: [North American / Barrone P-51-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-barrone-p-51-d) (registry code 6402405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Packard LIBERTY](https://openairdocs.org/engine/packard-liberty) (registry code 49501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-7444
- Airframe hours: 1525
- Engines: PACKARD V-1650-7 1400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barons Bros.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1994, 5 hours before
- Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA
- Destination: VCV
- Airport: VCV, Southern California Intl, runway 18, 10,000 × 120 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,555 total, 825 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19941028036879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941028036879A), Oct 28, 1994: Namer P51D, Victorville, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on a touch and go when power was applied. Ground looped.

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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