# NTSB NYC04CA196: Wahl S-51D, N151BW, Louisville, KY, August 22, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2004, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Louisville, KY - Coordinates: 38.227779, -85.663612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2278&lon=-85.6636&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59967 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59967/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA196 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on the runway during 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis After landing on runway 24, the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot applied left rudder to compensate, and as the airplane began to move, the right wingtip scraped the runway. After realigning the airplane on the centerline of the runway, the pilot released left rudder input and the left main landing gear collapsed. As the airplane veered to the left, the pilot applied right rudder, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane then slid to a stop on the remaining runway. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing spar, and no pre-impact mechanical deficiencies were observed. Additionally, the pilot had recently purchased the airplane and the accident occurred during his first hour, and fifth landing in it. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2004, at 1350 eastern daylight time, an amateur built S-51D, N151BW, was substantially damaged during landing at the Bowman Field Airport (LOU), Louisville, Kentucky. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Clark County Airport (JVY), Jeffersonville, Indiana. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, shortly after touchdown on runway 24, he placed the propeller into the Beta range and the airplane began to veer to the right. He then applied left rudder to compensate, and as the airplane began to move, the right wingtip scraped the runway. After realigning the airplane on the centerline of the runway, the pilot released left rudder input and the left main landing gear collapsed. As the airplane veered to the left, the pilot applied right rudder, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane then slid to a stop on the remaining runway. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector after the accident revealed that the left wing spar was buckled. No pre-impact mechanical deficiencies were noted with the airplane. Additionally, according to the FAA inspector, the pilot had recently purchased the airplane, and the accident occurred during his first hour, and fifth landing in it. The winds reported at LOU, at 1353, were from 110 at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N151BW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N151BW), registered now, S/N 44-74813 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wahl S-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, amateur-built - Serial number: 149 - Airframe hours: 146 - Engines: Walter M601D 724 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George Keyes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, August 16, 2004, 1 hours before - Departed: JVY, Jeffersonville, IN - Destination: LOU, Louisville, KY - Airport: LOU, Bowman Field Airport, runway 24, 4,326 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, military, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 13, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 11,879 total, 1 in this make and model, 8,578 as pilot in command, 132 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: LOU ## 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 20040822018379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040822018379A), Aug 22, 2004: Amtr S51D, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated after touchdown on runway 24 he placed the throttles into the beta range when the aircraft started to veer right, he then corrected with… 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.