# NTSB LAX87DVW01: North American P51D, N1451D, Ashfork, AZ, April 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1987, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Ashfork, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.130428, -112.520797 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1304&lon=-112.5208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVW01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25351/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVW01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - engine accessories - disconnected
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - not performed
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NORTH AMERICAN P-51D EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AFTER CRUISING AT 10,000 FEET MSL FOR 45 MINUTES. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SOME TREES PRIOR TO COMING TO REST IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE LANDING GEAR WAS NOT EXTENDED PRIOR TO THE FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RPM READ ZERO EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS WINDMILLING. TEAR DOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A FAILED BEARING ON THE VERTICAL ACCESSORY DRIVE SHAFT. THE FAILURE ALLOWED THE SHAFT TO SHIFT UPWARDS DISENGAGING THE GEARS. THE VERTICAL SHAFT DRIVES THE MAJORITY OF THE ACCESSORIES (MAGS,PUMPS,TACH,ETC.).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1451D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1451D), registered now, S/N 44-74446A, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN P51D
- Registry model: [North American/Aero Classics P-51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-aero-classics-p-51d) (registry code 6402304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pkrd-Roll V1650 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pkrd-roll-v1650-series) (registry code 49001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-74446-A
- Airframe hours: 1788
- Engines: PACKARD V 1650 1490 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Clarke
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1987, 37 hours before
- Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,880 total, 551 in this make and model, 1,608 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N1451D (3)

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…
- [NTSB LAX94LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA178), Apr 5, 1994: North American P-51D (N1451D), Chino, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's decision to fly an unairworthy and uncertificated airplane, his failure to perform an adequate preflight, and the improper installation of the oil cooler lines.
- [NTSB UNK64X2311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2311), Jun 15, 1964: N.American F-51D (N1451D), Roseburg, OR, destroyed, 5 fatal

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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