North American P-51D accident near East Anglia, Gb, October 2, 2016
On October 2, 2016 at about 2:38 pm local time, a 1945 North American P-51D, registered GMSTG, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near East Anglia (Hardwick Airfield). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 2016 · about 2:38 pm local time · cases in 2016
- Place
- East Anglia, United Kingdom · Hardwick Airfield
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- North American P-51D, built 1945 · all P-51Ds on the register
- Registration
- GMSTG · registered outside the United States · serial 124-48271
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. The foreign authority was the source of this information. On October 2, 2016, at 1438 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a North American P-51D, British registration G-MSTG, impacted an open field during a go-around near Hardwick Airfield, East Anglia, United Kingdom (U.K.). Of the two persons on board, one was fatally injured and the other was seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The registered owner and operator have yet to be determined. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from an unknown location at an unknown time, and was destined for East Anglia. This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the United Kingdom. Under the provisions of Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation as a State of Design, the United States has designated an accredited representative to participate in the investigation. Any further information may be obtained from: AAIB Farnborough House Berkshire Copse Road Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2HH, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 1252 510300 Facsimile: +44 (0) 1252 376999 E-mail: [email protected] Investigator-in-Charge Mr. Philip Sleight Telephone: +44 1252 510300 E-mail: [email protected] This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by, or obtained from, the AAIB of the United Kingdom.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- North American P-51 Mustang 60 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- North American 1,297 aircraft on the register
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN17WA008.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.