# NTSB SEA90LA136: North American P-51, Seattle, WA, July 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1990, 14:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.539215, -122.309272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5392&lon=-122.3093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA136

## Probable cause

AN ENCOUNTER WITH VORTEX TURBULENCE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LANDING.

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN P-51D ENCOUNTERED VORTEX TURBULENCE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH BEHIND A HAWKER SEA FURY WHILE CONDUCTING A FORMATION LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED 70 TO 75 DEGREES TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED RECOVERY, BUT HIS CONTROL AUTHORITY WAS INSUFFICENT TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE RUNWAY WITH THE LEFT WING LOW AT ABOUT 45 DEGREES LEFT BANK, DAMAGING THE LEFT WING AND PARTIALLY COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: NX51VC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN P-51
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-74502A
- Engines: PACKARD V-1650-9 1490 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John V. Crocker
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field, runway 31L, 10,001 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 16,500 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 215 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI

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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