Unrein PRODUCTMATCH 80 P51D N51PL

Summary

On 6 July 2002 at about 15:45 local time, a Unrein PRODUCTMATCH 80 P51D registered N51PL was involved in an accident near Battle Ground, Washington, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 July 2002 at 15:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Battle Ground, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Parkside Airpark (WA87)

Coordinates

45.8164, -122.5536

Aircraft

Unrein PRODUCTMATCH 80 P51D

Registration

N51PL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kelso → Battle Ground

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02FA124

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed (80 mph) on final approach resulting in a bounced landing and a loss of control during an attempted go-around and ultimately the on ground collision with a residence. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the attempted go-around maneuver and the residence (structure).

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner of the 80% scale North American P-51D experimental replica, entered the pattern for runway seven (2100 feet long - asphalt) establishing the aircraft at 95 miles per hour (mph) on the downwind with the landing gear and flaps down. He reduced airspeed to 90 mph turning base and then decelerated to 80 mph on final. Upon touchdown the aircraft bounced and began a left roll. The pilot applied full right rudder, full right aileron and full power in an attempt to recover. With the aircraft in a 30-degree left bank headed towards homes and trees he cut power and attempted an intentional left ground loop maneuver. The aircraft impacted a chain link fence and then penetrated the wall of a residence coming to rest inside a multi-car garage. The pilot had 356 hours of experience and numerous landings in the accident aircraft. He reported the winds as calm at the time of the landing. The pilot also reported that he allowed the airspeed to decelerate below the "critical 80-mph threshold speed."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.