NTSB: Deteriorated Parts Caused Reno Crash

Bethany Whitfield

Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 09:23 PM ET

Verified

_ Galloping Ghost_ at the Reno Air Races
before the fatal crash.

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB concluded that the Reno Air Race crash, which killed 11, was caused by deteriorated locknut inserts leading to a structural failure of the P-51 Galloping Ghost's trim tab system and subsequent flutter at high speeds.
Undocumented and untested major modifications to the raceplane were also cited as a contributing factor to the accident.
In response, safety measures are being implemented for future races, including moving the course farther from spectators and appointing a new director of safety, though a recommended G-suit requirement was not adopted.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The NTSB on Monday singled out deteriorated parts as the probable cause behind the Reno crash that left 11 dead and more than 60 injured last September when the P-51 Galloping Ghost, piloted by veteran pilot Jimmy Leeward, went out of control following a structural failure of the trim tab system.

According to the investigative agency’s final report, degenerated locknut inserts initially triggered the loosening of Galloping Ghost‘s trim tab screws, which would go on to cause instability in the system that made the tab unable to withstand the forces of the high speed flight.