Mid-air collision between two P-51 Mustangs at Duxford Airshow

Casualties unknown • Near Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire, GB

Two North American P-51D Mustangs collided during a formation flypast at the Battle of Britain Air Show, resulting in damage to both aircraft but no injuries.

What happened

On 23 September 2017, during the Battle of Britain Air Show near Duxford Airfield, two North American P-51D Mustangs, registrations G-SHWN and G-BIXL, were performing a coordinated formation flypast with a Boeing B-1tG. The flight sequence required the two Mustangs to join the B-17 on opposite sides: the lead aircraft, G-SHWN, was to join on the B-17's right, while the following aircraft, G-BIXL, was to join on the left.

As the aircraft maneuvered to join the B-17, both pilots attempted to occupy the same position on the right side of the B-17. During the maneuver, the horizontal stabiliser of G-BIXL passed through the propeller arc of G-SHWN. The impact caused structural damage to the stabiliser of G-BIXL and scuffing to the propeller blades of G-SHWN. The pilot of G-BIXL declared a MAYDAY and performed an emergency landing on a grass runway; both aircraft subsequently landed without further incident, and no injuries were reported.

The investigation

The AAIB investigation examined the flight history, pilot briefings, and the physical damage to both aircraft. Investigators reviewed the pilots' pre-flight preparations, including a verbal briefing provided by a DC-3 pilot and a subsequent 'walk through' of the aerobatic portion of the display conducted by the two Mustang pilots.

Analysis of the pilot's notes revealed that the pilot of G-BIXL had drawn a pictorial representation of the display as an aide memoire but had failed to clearly distinguish his own aircraft from the lead aircraft on the diagram. Furthermore, the investigation found that while the pilots had performed a ground walk-through of their planned aerobatics, they had omitted a review of the specific joining maneuvers for the B-17 flypast.

Findings

  • The collision was caused by both pilots attempting to join the B-17 on the same side due to a misunderstanding of the briefed positions.
  • The pilot of G-BIXL used an ambiguous notation on his personal display diagram, labeling both aircraft simply as 'P51', which prevented him from verifying his assigned side.
  • A lack of focus during the pre-flight 'walk through' meant the specific procedures for joining the B-17 were not reviewed.
  • The pilot of G-BIXL experienced a loss of visual contact with the lead aircraft, G-SHWN, during the maneuver, which prevented him from noticing the error in positioning.
  • Confirmation bias and 'risky shift' tendencies may have contributed to the pilot's assumption that the join would proceed as previously practiced.

Probable cause

The collision occurred because both pilots attempted to join the B-17 on the right side, driven by an ambiguous personal flight diagram and a failure to include the B-17 joining maneuver in their pre-flight walk-through.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-09-23 North American P-51D, Mustang and North American P-51D-20 (Modified), Mustang accident near Near Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire, GB?

Two North American P-51D Mustangs collided during a formation flypast at the Battle of Britain Air Show, resulting in damage to both aircraft but no injuries.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-09-23 involved a North American P-51D, Mustang and North American P-51D-20 (Modified), Mustang, registration G-SHWN and G-BIXL , at Near Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision occurred because both pilots attempted to join the B-17 on the right side, driven by an ambiguous personal flight diagram and a failure to include the B-17 joining maneuver in their pre-flight walk-through.

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