Information Includes Photographs, Video, Technical Data

As part of its continuing investigation into the September 2011 crash of a highly modified P-51D airplane at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, the National Transportation Safety Board has opened the public docket.

On September 16, 2011, the pilot of the Galloping Ghost experienced an upset while turning between pylons 8 and 9 on the race course. The airplane crashed on the ramp in the box seat spectator area. The pilot and 10 spectators were killed and more than 60 others were injured. The NTSB has previously made a series of recommendations regarding air-race safety.

The docket includes a great deal of information about the circumstances leading up to the accident, as well as modifications made to the Galloping Ghost airplane. One document indicates that pilot Jimmy Leeward was subjected to +17 Gs in the pitch-up following the separation of the trim tab from the airplane.

The information being released Tuesday is factual in nature and does not provide any analysis. Included in the docket are photographs, a video, 47 documents and more than 900 pages, including interview summaries, maintenance records and other documents. Additional material may be added to the docket as it becomes available. Analysis of the accident, along with a determination of probable cause, will come later this month when the final report on the investigation is completed.

(Photo by Julia Kirschenbauer from NTSB Docket)

FMI: View the Docket