# NTSB LAX81FUJ26: Thunder P-40, N5578J, Scottsdale, AZ, January 14, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 14, 1981
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ · SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Location: 33.5092° N, 111.8990° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Scottsdale, AZ, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5092&lon=-111.8990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FUJ26
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FUJ26

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0130  81/1/14    SCOTTSDALE,AZ       THUNDER P-40        CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0748                    N5578J              PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      47, 16451 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SCOTTSDALE MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SCOTTSDALE,AZ               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        REMARKS- FIRST FLIGHT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5578J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: THUNDER P-40
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Scottsdale Muni

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19810114001029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810114001029A), Jan 14, 1981: Amtr TDP40, Scottsdale, AZ, Destroyed. First test hop. Slow speed takeoff. Stalled turning base. Prop control out of high RPM detente.

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.

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