Jerome County Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Jerome, Idaho 83338
Thursday, July 3, 2003 11:00 MDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the engine overheated, then lost coolant. The coolant covered the windshield and he had a hard time seeing in front of him for the return to the airport for landing. During the touchdown, the aircraft landed hard and slid off the side of the runway. During an inspection by maintenance personnel, it was found that the left wing spar was bent and required replacement. It was also found that the relief valve to the aftercooling system header tank failed, subsequently releasing the coolant. The aftercooling system is of the low pressure type, incorporating a relief valve which relieves at approximately 18 to 20 pounds per square inch. The flight manual states in several areas for start, ground operations and takeoff to closely monitor coolant temperatures to prevent overheating.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The malfunction of the cooling system pressure relief valve and the pilot's failure to follow procedures. An engine over temperature, a coolant leak as a result of a relief valve failure, an obstructed windshield which was covered with coolant fluid, and an improper flare resulting in a hard landing were factors.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 7/3/2003
Event Day of the Week Thursday
Time of Event 1100
Event Time Zone Mountain Daylight Time
Event City Jerome
Event State IDAHO
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 83338
Event Date Year 2003
Event Date Month 7
MidAir Collision Indicator --
On Ground Collision occurred ? --
Event Location Latitude 424300N
Event Location Longitude 1142743W
Event Location Airport Jerome County
Event Location Nearest Airport ID JER
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 4048
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID --
Elevation of weather observation facility --
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation --
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions --
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling --
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) --
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) --
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 15593
NTSB Notification Source Boise FSDO
NTSB Notification Date Dec 3 2003 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 945
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Jun 3 2004 1:28PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\MONR
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Boise, Idaho

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N2869D
NTSB Number SEA03LA202
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name North American
Aircraft Model P-51D
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 44-84390
Certified Max Gross Weight 9450
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Retractable
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection --
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed Unknown
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Douglas D. Driscoll
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City American Falls
Aircraft Owner State ID
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 83211
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code JER
Departure City Jerome
Departure State DC
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1100
Departure Time Zone MDT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code PIH
Destination City Pocatello
Destination State ID
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Landing
Report sent to ICAO? No
Evacuation occurred No
Date of most recent change to record Apr 5 2004 4:41PM
User who most recently changed record STAM
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 08
Runway Length 5201
Runway Width 60
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --