Incident Overview
During the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2007 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, two North American P-51 Mustangs collided while landing on runway 36. The aircraft involved were an amateur-built P-51A Mustang, call sign "Precious Metal," and a North American P-51D Mustang, call sign "Stang." Both airplanes were part of a five-aircraft air race demonstration event.
Sequence of Events
The demonstration air race had been completed, and the five aircraft were in the process of landing separately, not in formation. The pilot of Stang reported that he believed the pilot of Precious Metal was departing the pattern and not landing at Oshkosh. Stang was approximately two miles past the runway threshold on the downwind leg at an altitude of 700 to 800 feet above ground level (agl) when he observed Precious Metal on a base leg at about 1,000 feet agl, on a southwesterly heading with its landing gear and flaps retracted.
Stang then turned inbound for landing on runway 36. Precious Metal also turned inbound for landing behind Stang and transmitted "Precious Metal, one mile final," but Stang did not hear this transmission. The two aircraft collided as Stang started its landing roll.
Communication and Briefing Issues
Interviews with the air race demonstration pilots revealed confusion concerning the information discussed in the team briefing prior to the race. The team representative reported that he briefed that Stang should land first, but two of the race pilots reported that they did not hear that discussed in the brief. Additionally, the team representative briefed that Precious Metal intended to land, refuel, take on a passenger, and then depart Oshkosh for another nearby airport.
Airspace and Control
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had "waivered" the airspace, making the air show Air Boss responsible for air show operations, but he was not responsible for providing aircraft separation. The Air Boss did not observe the two P-51s on short final because his attention was on an airplane taxiing near the air show center. The air traffic control tower was not in operation during the air show due to the waivered airspace, and the Air Boss was responsible for air/ground radio communications with the airplanes. No warning was given to the pilots concerning the lack of separation between the airplanes.
Relevant Regulations
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 91.113(g) Right-of-Way Rules state: "When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft."