History of Flight
On July 4, 2014, at 0927 mountain daylight time, a North American P-51 Mustang airplane, registration N1451D, impacted terrain near the Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado, shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was owned and operated by Bridgewood Holdings, LLC. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight instructor, occupying the rear seat, and the pilot, occupying the front seat, were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight, which was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Witnesses reported that the airplane departed runway 3 and entered a hard left bank to approximately 90 degrees. The nose pitched up slightly and continued to bank past 90 degrees to an inverted position, then the nose pitched down to approximately a 45-degree angle. Witnesses lost sight of the airplane when their view was blocked by a hangar. Additionally, witnesses noted that the pilot typically "dipped the left wing" to wave during flyovers.
Personnel Information
Flight Instructor: The flight instructor, age 53, held an airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single- and multi-engine, and glider ratings. He also held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single- and multi-engine land, glider, and instrument airplane, and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate, issued April 10, 2014, required glasses for near vision. He reported 12,400 total flight hours on his medical application, with 130 hours in the previous 6 months. His logbook indicated 12,414 total hours as of July 1, 2014, including 3,609 hours in single-engine land airplanes and 26 hours in the accident airplane, all with the pilot. He began instructing the pilot in June 2013 and last flew with the pilot on June 24, 2014. A logbook entry dated February 1, 2014 indicated he was 'competent to act as pilot-in-command of a North American P-51D.'
Pilot: The pilot, age 51, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. His FAA third-class medical certificate, issued March 29, 2013, required corrective lenses. His logbook showed 263 total flight hours as of June 31, 2014, including 53 hours in the accident make and model, and 71 hours in a Beechcraft T-6 Texan. He last flew the accident airplane on June 24, 2014. The pilot's logbook did not contain an endorsement required by the P-51 operating limitations to act as pilot-in-command.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was a P-51D Mustang, serial number 44-74446A, N1451D, with a Special Airworthiness Certificate issued October 9, 1975. Manufactured in 1944, it was a two-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear airplane powered by a Packard Merlin V-1650-7 engine rated at 1,490 horsepower. The engine drove a metal, 4-blade Hamilton Standard 24D50-105 variable pitch propeller. The most recent annual inspection was completed September 12, 2013, at a Hobbs time of 630.0 hours and airframe total time of 2,381.3 hours. The aircraft was modified with a dual flight control system (rear control stick, elevator, rudder, and throttle controls) approved in August 2011 by a mechanic with inspector authorization.
Meteorological Information
At 0853, the DRO automated weather reported wind from 100 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, temperature 19°C, dew point 07°C, and altimeter 30.39 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted a public road northwest of the airport at a nose-down angle. The wreckage path continued into a field at approximately 290 degrees, extending about 120 feet. The entire airplane was fragmented. All major airframe components were contained within the wreckage path. The fuselage was crushed and nearly unrecognizable. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. The propeller blades exhibited curling at the tips and chordwise scraping, consistent with power at impact.
Medical and Pathological Information
Toxicology testing for the flight instructor was negative for carbon monoxide, alcohol, and drugs. For the pilot, results were negative for carbon monoxide and alcohol but positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its metabolite in cavity blood and lung tissue. Post mortem examinations attributed the cause of death for both pilots to "multiple injuries consistent with an airplane accident."
Tests and Research
Fuel quality testing of aviation gasoline from the airport's storage tank and fuel trucks showed no evidence of debris or contamination.
Additional Information
An excerpt from the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Information discussed torque reaction effects, including roll and yaw tendencies during takeoff.