Accident Overview
On September 19, 2010, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Giboney Thunder Mustang, registration N151G, collided with terrain during landing at Reno/Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan had been filed.
Accident Sequence
The pilot was flying as one of seven airplanes in a race at the Reno National Championship Air Races. While passing pylon 5 on lap four, the airplane's engine lost all power. The pilot climbed to 2,000 feet above ground level and decided to land on runway 26 based on his position and wind direction. He entered the landing pattern but had to extend his downwind to avoid traffic still on the race course. The wind carried him farther from the runway than intended. When he turned toward the runway, he had insufficient altitude to align with it.
The pilot stated the airplane was heading 210° when it touched down on the east side of the intersection of runway 26 and runway 14/32. The airplane rolled across the intersection and onto taxiway A1, then continued onto a dirt ramp, which pitched the airplane up into the air but below flying speed. He maintained full right rudder and full up elevator; the right wing dropped until it contacted the ground. The airplane cartwheeled twice and came to rest in the dirt about halfway between taxiway A1 and runway 26.
Damage and Injuries
The pilot, a private pilot, sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.
Engine Examination
The pilot reported that a connecting rod bearing and two connecting rods fractured and separated.