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NTSB Issues
Recommendations To Increase Safety At Air Races By Steve Hall |
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April 11, 2012 - The National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) provided an investigative update on
Tuesday, on last year's crash of a highly modified P-51D
airplane at the National Championship Air Races in Reno
Nevada. 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. In addition to the investigative update, NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman announced that the agency was issuing a total of seven safety recommendations to make the National Championship Air Races a safer event for pilots and spectators alike. |
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"We are
not here to put a stop to air racing," said Chairman Hersman.
"We are here to make it safer."
While the
investigation is ongoing, Chairman Hersman provided a detailed
interim update that showed that the accident sequence initiated
with an upset that preceded the separation of the left elevator
trim tab by approximately 6 seconds.
One key
safety area highlighted during the investigation is the
extensive modifications made to airplanes that race in the
unlimited class and the lack of documentation and inspection
associated with those modifications. On the Galloping Ghost,
modifications included reducing the wing span from about 37 feet
to about 29 feet, and significant changes to the flight controls
all designed to increase speed and enhance racing performance. "Our investigation revealed that this pilot, in this airplane, had never flown at this speed, on this course," said Chairman Hersman. "We are issuing a safety recommendation to ensure that pilots and their modified airplanes are put through their paces prior to race day." |
Related findings
from telemetry data showed that during the upset; the airplane exceeded
the accelerometer's 9-G limit. While the investigation into g-forces and
g-tolerance is ongoing, the photographic and telemetry evidence
indicates that both the airplane and pilot experienced an unanticipated,
rapid onset of high g-forces and appears to support pilot
incapacitation.
The fatalities and
injuries in this accident draw attention to the course design and
layout. The unlimited race course is designed for an average ground
speed of 500 miles per hour. As pilots make the final turn toward the
home pylon, the trajectory of the airplane is in the direction of the
spectators in the box seats and grandstands. The NTSB has recommended
that RARA review the current course and consider changes to lessen the
exposure to spectators.
NTSB
Recommendations To The National Air Racing Group Unlimited Division
Require aircraft
owners in the unlimited class to provide an engineering evaluation that
includes flight demonstrations and analysis within the anticipated
flight envelope for aircraft with any major modification, such as to the
structure or flight controls.
Develop a system
that tracks any discrepancies noted during prerace technical inspections
and verifies that they have been resolved.
Provide high g
training to pilots, including techniques to mitigate the potential
effects of high g exposure, as part of preparations before the Reno
National Championship Air Races (NCAR) and during daily briefs at the
NCAR.
Evaluate the
feasibility of requiring pilots to wear g suits when racing at the
Reno National
Championship Air Races; if the evaluation determines it is feasible,
implement a requirement.
NTSB
Recommendations To The Reno Air Racing Association
Require aircraft
owners, as a condition of eligibility to participate in the Reno
National Championship Air Races, to provide an engineering evaluation
that includes flight demonstrations and analysis within the anticipated
flight envelope for aircraft with any major modification, such as to the
structure or flight controls.
Evaluate the
design of the unlimited class course and safety areas to minimize
maneuvering near and potential conflicts with spectators; if warranted
by the results of the evaluation, implement changes to the race course.
Take the following
actions to raise the level of safety for spectators and personnel near
the race course: (1) relocate the fuel truck away from the ramp area and
(2) in front of any area where spectators are present, install barriers
more substantial than those currently in place.
Provide high g
training to pilots, including techniques to mitigate the potential
effects of high g exposure, as part of preparations before the Reno
National Championship Air Races (NCAR) and during daily briefs at the
NCAR. |
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