Investigation Summary
The investigation focused on the structural integrity of the elevator trim system and the extensive, undocumented modifications made to the airframe. The Galloping Ghost had undergone radical changes to reduce drag, including clipping the wings and replacing the belly radiator with a boil-off cooling system. During the race, the aircraft reached speeds of 530 mph, significantly faster than its previous records. The NTSB determined that the left elevator trim tab link assembly failed due to flutter. This flutter was initiated by the loosening of reused single-use locknuts, which led to a fatigue crack in an attachment screw. The aerodynamic forces were further complicated by the fact that the right trim tab had been fixed in place, a modification that left the aircraft with no redundancy when the left tab failed. The resulting 17-g acceleration was far beyond human tolerance, rendering the pilot a passenger as the aircraft performed a series of uncontrolled maneuvers before impacting the ground.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB concluded that the probable cause was the deteriorated stiffening of the elevator trim tab system due to the use of reused self-locking nuts, which allowed for flutter that eventually caused the trim tab link to fail. Contributing to the accident were the undocumented and untested modifications to the aircraft, specifically the removal of the radiator and the fixing of the right trim tab, which increased the aircraft's sensitivity to the failure of the remaining active trim tab.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
Reno Air Races Accident NTSB Hearing (2012) — Official NTSB presentation detailing how deteriorated parts allowed flutter, leading to the fatal crash of The Galloping Ghost at the 2011 Reno Air Races.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Pilot
Jimmy Leeward, 74, was a highly experienced racing pilot and owner of the aircraft.
Systems & Failure Modes
Elevator Trim Tab
A small control surface on the elevator used to reduce control pressures; its failure caused the violent pitch-up.
Boil-off Cooling System
A radical modification that replaced the traditional belly radiator to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Trim Tab Link Assembly
The mechanical connection that holds the trim tab in position; it failed due to aeroelastic flutter.
Interesting Facts
- 01The crash resulted in 11 fatalities: the pilot and 10 spectators on the ground.
- 02At least 69 people on the ground were injured, including 16 with serious injuries.
- 03The aircraft was traveling at over 400 mph at the moment of impact.
- 04The pilot was subjected to 17 g during the initial pitch-up, causing immediate unconsciousness.
- 05Investigators found that single-use locknuts had been reused in the trim tab assembly.
- 06The aircraft's wingspan had been reduced by a total of 10 feet: 4 feet in 1969 and an additional 6 feet in 1983.
- 07The right elevator trim tab had been intentionally fixed in place, leaving the aircraft dependent on the left tab.
Safety Actions & Advisories
NTSB Safety Recommendations
The NTSB issued seven recommendations including redesigning race courses to be further from spectators and requiring pre-race inspections of aircraft modifications.
G-force Awareness
Recommendations were made to improve pilot awareness and training regarding high g-force maneuvers in racing environments.