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.
