Mustang crashes into crowd at Reno

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WJPearce, That photo is very telling. I assume that you also sent a full res copy to the NTSB. Information like this is valuable to the investigators, but it is also valuable to other aviators as something we can all learn from. It was a terrible tragedy and one no one wants to see repeated.
 
Does "oil canning" indicate structural failure in the tail section of the Mustang?
 
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Unless I misremember, the P-51 has four major longerons. The "oil canning" seems to me to running right along the lower starboard longeron location ... and the skin is rivited to the longeron. I won't speculate publically any further about the internal situation in the fuselage.

Since the picture of the "oil canning" is one lap before the event, that is food for thought. The Galloping Ghost clearly experienced a wing waggle doing past pylons 1 - 2 on lap two. I saw that live and assumed it was wake turbulence. It well might be exactly that, but could also be something else and the same wing waggle preceeded the final event.

With the video supplied by Mr. Pierce and the photo, we surely have a reasonably well-documented event, and some conclusions can be drawn by a reasonable observer knowledgeable about high-performance WWII aircraft and the P-51. The exact mechanism of the failure might be tough to figure out, but seasoned aviation investigators have rarely, I would think, had a better documented event.

That's about all I can say publically without drawing conclusions or engaging in speculation. I hope we can get a report from the NTSB in a reasonable timeframe.
 
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Gentlemen

Maybe there is a bit of pride involved but cant you show some heart. WW2 restorers post was edited because it said (I paraphrase because it was deleted) You guys should stick to modelling and tacking pictures, if your expertise was important you would be helping with the investigation. In view of the posts on this thread that may be deemed to insult moderators and long time members but actually its true. To disprove unfounded theories ww2 restorer had to describe his friend and coleague being impaled on a joystick. In similar circumstances i woul not be so restrained as he was his post was not profane or abusive just very very uncomfortable. everyone here can modify their posts in view of WW2restorers info and I am sure if they do he could be welcomed here with an arm around the shoulder.......jeeeez give the man a break
 
Mustang, there was a heated discussion about a pic, the source for the pic came forward and cleared up the question and those who guessed wrongly (including myself) have made amends. There was no place for a post such as that and the discussion is ended. Lets move on.
 

It is one thing to provide information or join in discussion. It is quite another to insult people that have grown together as a community, trying to understand what happened. No, we are not accident investigators, but there are several people here on the staff and as members that in aviation as pilots, mechanics and support personnel. We are not all "just modelers" or "amateur photographers".

We are well aware of the tragedy involved and we all feel the loss. But this isn't the time to come on and throw insults and call names.
 
Mustang, this individual came on here and made some insulting comments to some of the members and moderators. I did not see what was written but let me tell you that as far as me personally, I don't know this guy and don't know if was indeed for real, but personally I will stand behind any and all comments I have made here and make no apology for them. BTW, for the record – I have worked Reno and Crewed an airplane that took 2nd place 3 years in a row in its class. I'm also an A&P and I/A, flight instructor and been in this business for over 30 years, and I have also built model airplanes….
Agree 100%, and not to undermine my fellow mod, if there's any more BS posted here I'm locking this thread, something that I really don't want to do because up till now it's gotten back on track with some really good information.
 
Flyboyj,

As a member who was away from the forum for a few years and is just "returning," as it were, I have to ask ... an off-topic question ...

Sorry if this is common knowledge, but ... who is Doug Gilliss in your sig?

Just curious ... maybe this should be in a new thread, but it seems like a trival question for anew thread.
 
The wit and wisdom of flyboyj

quote
In the shot of he aircraft going straight down, what happened to the pilot???? Even if he was incapacitated or even dead, you are strapped into these aircraft in such a matter that a body or torso would ALWAYS be seen, especially from the side. I've sat and flown in many military type aircraft including a P-51 (just sat in it) and I can tell you once strapped in you cannot move much or remove your body from being viewed from the side!!! Explain that one genius!

Sorry friend, not the case. Have you ever sat in a stock or modified P-51? I have and there is absolutely NO room for your head to move. Its a tight fit and unless a guillotine found its way into the cockpit, you are going to see something in that cockpit if some one is strapped in.

Dude - I think you better do some research and find out about the backgrounds on some of the folks around here before you start defecating brain matter from your facial modulation orifice.


I don't know this guy and don't know if was indeed for real, but personally I will stand behind any and all comments I have made here and make no apology for them. BTW, for the record – I have worked Reno and Crewed an airplane that took 2nd place 3 years in a row in its class. I'm also an A&P and I/A, flight instructor and been in this business for over 30 years, and I have also built model airplanes….
unquote

Flyboy you are a mechanic playing at being an internet God. You let your mouth go before your peanut was engaged, I sincerely hope a pilot you mechanic for is never impaled on his joystick but it would be poetic justice. Ban me and delete the post (most of the crap is actually your posts) it is copied and will be circulated. Or you could just be a man and apologise for making a judgement without being in full knowledge of the facts....Like a real man would do.

Oh wow you were a mechanic for a guy who didn't win, I won races on the ground and was my own mechanic so everyone should kiss my boots of course.
 

Guess what @sshole, you're gone! Mustang Nut? The second part of your name is an understatement! Circulate all you want, and instead of kissing your boots, just kiss my @ss! Real intelligence there - did you win a snail race?

BTW - learn to spell or download a spell check dipsh!t. I see your brains are measured in turd-ounces.

Ok folks, please keep this thread on track, I really dont want to lock it.
 
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Optimum coolant temp is 105c-110c degrees and there isn't much flexibility, maybe 115degrees before you start doing damage. This includes ground ops as well...always always keep the scoops into the wind. Speaking for myself I don't lock my harness in the Mustang, maybe I have short arms but with the harness locked I have trouble reaching the gear handle and the gps/radio on the panel. It also makes looking around extremely difficult. I do wear the seatbelt fairly snug but mobility is priority.

jim

I shot this with a gopro camera.
 
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