P51 crash, two killed including a WW2 vet

[Vraciu]

They definitely weren't pulling any Gs on that flight.  90+ year old in the back.  Looks like the plane either ran out of gas, had an engine failure, or got too slow and spun in.

Incorrect.    They were performing aerobatics before the accident.   The crash occurred later as they were returning to the Gillespie County Airport (T82).   Cause still unknown. 

It’s just as likely the guy became incapacitated and drilled it in.   There’s no way to know.   The investigation will tell us if the engine was producing power when it hit.  That’ll be the big clue allowing for rampant speculation based on something that’s at least factual.

[DaveBB]

Incorrect.    They were performing aerobatics before the accident.   The crash occurred later as they were returning to the Gillespie County Airport (T82).   Cause still unknown. 

It’s just as likely the guy became incapacitated and drilled it in.   There’s no way to know.   The investigation will tell us if the engine was producing power when it hit.  That’ll be the big clue allowing for rampant speculation based on something that’s at least factual.

Maybe a 1g roll.  Definitely weren't looping.  Like I said, the guy in the back was over 90 years old.

[Vraciu]

Maybe a 1g roll.  Definitely weren't looping.  Like I said, the guy in the back was over 90 years old.

They were doing more than just a 1G roll. 

As I said, I'm more afraid of a 73-year old pilot that a 73-year old airplane, especially when the SHTF.

[icepac]

Plane looks way too intact to have been "drilled in".

[Vraciu]

Plane looks way too intact to have been "drilled in".

I guess you are unaware of how strong a rear fuselage/tail assembly generally is. 

He dumped it in the complex parking lot nose first.   The tail came off and flew into the covered parking area.   I’d define that as drilling it in. 





“[W]ay too intact...” 

[icepac]

I'm totally aware of mustang damage scenarios as I used to work at the paul garber restoration facility.


You are implying that the guy was too old and got in over his head doing aerobatics and "drilled it in" when witnesses stated it was flying low with the engine sputtering. 

[Puma44]

So many “expert” opinions and yet, no facts.

[100Coogn]

So many “expert” opinions and yet, no facts.

So true.
I hear CNN is hiring folks.   

Coogan

[Vraciu]

I'm totally aware of mustang damage scenarios as I used to work at the paul garber restoration facility.

Well you’re not applying that knowledge here.  Restoration to static display is one thing.   Accident investigation is another. 

You are implying that the guy was too old and got in over his head doing aerobatics and "drilled it in" when witnesses stated it was flying low with the engine sputtering.

1) I implied no such thing.   

2) Witnesses are notoriously unreliable. 

I was responding to the notion that an “old” warbird could be the problem by pointing out that I have more faith in a 73-year old rebuilt P-51 than a 73-year old pilot. 

He drilled it into a parking lot on the return flight to T82 after doing aerobatics at a commemoration for the Nimitz Museum.   Why?    We may never find out.  But let us not pretend the guy didn’t do exactly what I said here.    Something went bad and he lost the airplane.    It’s as simple as that. 

[Vraciu]

So many “expert” opinions and yet, no facts.

I’ve stated the facts.   He lost the airplane—as evidenced by the fact it got mashed into a parking lot.    We may never find out why.   That area is hilly and full of Live Oak and Juniper trees so it may have been a no-win scenario.   

Warbirds are risky machines by nature.    But so is anything else.   It’s a matter of mitigation and determining if it’s worth it to fly one based on that risk.    Should they be banned from flying because of the occasional sensational crash?   No. 

So, yeah, that’s my expert opinion. 

[Vraciu]

So true.
I hear CNN is hiring folks.   

Coogan

This comment in no way applies to what I’ve said.   Quite the opposite. 

[Puma44]

No need to get in a defensive crouch.

[Vraciu]

No need to get in a defensive crouch.

No need to go with the ad hominems either.

[Puma44]