Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Modified Planes too Dangerous to Fly? (With Video)




http://www.faa.gov/Accident_incident/preliminary

A lot of first-hand accounts and witness videos could help as the NTSB starts their investigation - expected to take up to nine months.

Among the many considerations - the race, the pilot, the plane itself and its modifications will all be a huge focus.

Planes like the P-51 Mustang often go through complete overhauls to become race ready.

So the question now - is did those changes interfere with safety?

An aircraft mechanic down in Las Vegas says it's a possibility that could play a role. "They do a lot of testing on these aircraft and these air frames, to make sure that they work and they fly properly. So if I modify any of those things, that could change. So in my opinion, if it's been tested, and if they weren't, I'm not touching it," says Story Airways owner David Story.

Story says a number of things can go wrong when you modify any aircraft especially one this old.

But not every expert shares that opinion, citing intense testing before hitting the air. "We have to maintain the airplane, it has to be air-ready. Every year you have to have an annual inspection, and that has to be done by a qualified mechanic," says Brian Bile, Aztec Aviation Services owner.

A total of 11 people, including pilot Jimmy Leeward, died when Leeward's Galloping Ghost P-51 Mustang crashed nose-first into a section of VIP box seats late Friday afternoon at the Reno-Stead Airport.

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