# Accident 20140704009319A: North American/Aero Classics P-51D, Durango, CO, July 4, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 4, 2014, 09:27 local time
- Place: Durango, CO
- Airport: Durango-La Plata County
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.1656° N, 107.7453° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1656&lon=-107.7453&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1451D, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1451D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: North American/Aero Classics P-51D (registry code 6402304, https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-aero-classics-p-51d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pkrd-Roll V1650 series (registry code 49001, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pkrd-roll-v1650-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN/AERO CLASSICS P-51D
- Reported engine: PKRD-ROLL V1650 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 12,400 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN14FA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA339) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140704009319A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE INSTRUCTOR HAS LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THE P-51 AIRCRAFT.  THE OWNER RECENTLY SENT THE INSTRUCTOR TO TRAINING ON THE P-51 IN ORDER TO RETURN AND TEACH HIM HOW TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT.

THE OWNER HAS LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN FLYING BASED ON RECEIVING HIS PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE IN SEPTEMBER 2013.  HOWEVER, HE WAS GAINING EXPERIENCE USING HIS T-6 AIRCRAFT.  IT IS REPORTED HE HAD FIVE FLIGHTS IN THE P-51.

THE P-51 WAS MODIFIED TO MAKE FLIGHT CONTROLS AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT IN THE BACK, WHERE THE INSTRUCTOR WOULD SIT; HOWEVER, NO RUDDER PEDALS WERE INSTALLED OR AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT.

FOR TAKEOFF THE PILOTS HURRIED THEIR DEPARTURE TO GET OUT BEFORE ANOTHER AIRCRAFT WOULD LAND.  THEY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED AT LOW LEVEL, AN ESTIMATED 150 TO 200 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.  AFTER THE INSTRUCTOR WAIVED TO HIS COWORKERS, THE AIRCRAFT PERFORMED A MANEUVER THAT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A PITCH UP AND OUT MANEUVER WHILE ADDING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POWER.  THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED LEFT AND THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN.  AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NEAR 90 DEGREE BANK AND A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AT A SPEED BETWEEN 170 AND 180 MPH.  AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED ON IMPACT KILLING BOTH OCCUPANTS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN14FA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA339), Jul 4, 2014: North American/Aero Classics P 51D (N1451D), Durango, CO, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to compensate for the high-performance airplane's tendency to enter a torque roll during the initial climb, which resulted in the airplane entering a torque roll and the…

## Other reports on N1451D (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19940404000289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940404000289A), Apr 4, 1994: Namer P51D (N1451D), Chino, CA, Substantial damage. Lost oil and oil mist in cockpit. Tried return. Crashed short. First flight of rebuild. Oil lines crossed. Came off.
- [Accident 19870903049019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870903049019A), Sep 3, 1987: Namer P51D (N1451D), Ash Fork, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power due to upper drive shaft bearing failure stopping camshaft operation. Landed gear up after hitting trees
- [Incident 19820722039139I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820722039139I), Jul 22, 1982: Namer P51C (N1451D), Chino, CA, Minor damage. On test flight after replacing rudder assembly and trim tab. Developed flutter. Trim tab separated. Landed safely.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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