North American P51-D N551CB

Summary

On 6 September 2001 at about 15:20 local time, a North American P51-D registered N551CB was involved in an accident near Lincolnton, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 September 2001 at 15:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Lincolnton, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Lincoln County Regional (KIPJ)

Coordinates

35.4708, -81.2398

Aircraft

North American P51-D

Registration

N551CB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Salisbury → Springfield

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL01LA103

1 person was seriously injured.

A cooling system failure, that resulted in a total loss of coolant and the subsequent loss of engine power. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While cruising at 8,000 feet, the pilot noticed coolant on the windshield. While descending through the clouds toward the nearest airport, the airplane's cockpit filled with smoke and condensation. The airplane broke out of the clouds at approximately 1,200 feet, and the pilot headed it toward an unpopulated wooded area. The airplane's engine seized as the pilot and passenger prepared to bail out, and they were thrown clear. Both the pilot and passenger pulled their parachute ripcords and fell into trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed the cowl flap was crushed in the open position. A small amount of fluid was found in the radiator. The water pump and accessory assembly were destroyed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.