North American-Aero Classics P-51D N6345T

Summary

On 6 September 1997 at about 15:03 local time, a North American-Aero Classics P-51D registered N6345T was involved in an accident near Monroe, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 September 1997 at 15:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Monroe, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

41.9104, -83.3798

Aircraft

North American-Aero Classics P-51D

Registration

N6345T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Toledo → Ypsilanti

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI97LA284

2 people died.

the pilot operating the airplane with a known coolant leak, coolant exhaustion, overheating of the engine, and subsequent failure of a connecting rod, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to see the powerline. The powerline was a related factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness videotaped the airplane taking off from Toledo Express Airport at about 1053 edt. The witness said that he observed gray/white smoke coming from the rear of the airplane. At approximately 1100 edt, a witness traveling eastbound in his vehicle on Michigan State Highway M-50, west of Monroe, Michigan, heard a 'loud vibration/screaming noise and then observed a plane flying eastbound approximately 40 feet along the treetops, just north of M-50. The plane had heavy white and black smoke pouring from the rear. The plane banked right, hit a powerline and plunged to the ground.' Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right front connecting rod was broken near the journal. Metal specks were observed on the cylinders, and molten metal droplets were found in the engine exhaust ports. Examination of the radiator showed small amount of coolant inside. Five empty containers of anti-freeze were found in the left wing locker at the accident site.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.