I missed the posting of the NTSB prelim the other day. Maybe we'll never really know what happened...
NTSB Identification: CEN14LA015
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, October 23, 2013 in Galveston, TX
Aircraft: NORTH AMERICAN P 51D, registration: N4151D
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On October 23, 2013 about 1130 central daylight time, a North American P-51D airplane, N4151D, impacted water near Galveston Bay near Galveston, Texas. The airline transport pilot and passenger were fatally injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, Galveston, Texas, and operated by Lone Star Flight Museum, Galveston, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The flight originated from the Scholes International Airport (KGLS), Galveston, Texas, about 1120.
According to preliminary review of air traffic control communications, the radio communications were normal. Shortly after takeoff, the controller queried the pilot if he wanted to contact Houston Center after leaving the control tower’s airspace or remain on the tower frequency. The pilot reported that they would be airborne for 15-20 minutes and would remain on the tower controller’s frequency. There was no further communication with the pilot.
A witness, who was on a fishing boat, reported that he heard the airplane overheard heading south. The airplane made a slow turn to the north. The witness added that it appeared the airplane was descending and traveling at a high rate of speed. The engine sounded like it was at full throttle and wings were level before impact with the water.
The accident site was located about 13 miles southwest of KGLS, in shallow water between West Bay and Chocolate Bay.
After initial documentation of the wreckage site, the wreckage will be recovered for further examination.
Index for Oct2013 | Index of months
http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief ... 5621&key=1