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 determined that deteriorated parts, specifically degenerated locknut inserts in the trim tab system, were the probable cause of the Reno Air Race crash, leading to a structural failure during high-speed flight.
Undocumented and untested major modifications to the P-51 Galloping Ghost were also cited as a contributing factor to the accident, which killed 11 and injured over 60.
In response to the crash, future Reno Air Races will feature a course moved farther from spectators and a new director of safety, though a recommendation for all pilots to wear G-suits was not adopted.

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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.