How many accidents has the North American P-51D had?

The NTSB has recorded 19 events involving the North American P-51D: 8 fatal, 1 serious, 2 minor injuries, and 8 incidents with no injuries.

Is the North American P-51D a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The North American P-51D has 19 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

North American P-51D Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 19 events recorded from 1982 to 2016.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (13 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jul 29, 2008	Tulsa, OK	N551W	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.
Dec 07, 2005	Minden, NV	N251BP	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing.
Jul 03, 2003	Jerome, ID	N2869D	Incident	substantial	The malfunction of the cooling system pressure relief valve and the pilot's failure to follow procedures. An engine over temperature, a coolant lea… The malfunction of the cooling system pressure relief valve and the pilot's failure to follow procedures. An engine over temperature, a coolant leak as a result of a relief valve failure, an obstructed windshield which was covered with coolant fluid, and an improper flare resulting in a hard landing were factors.
Dec 04, 1989	VAN NUYS, CA	N5415V	Incident	substantial	THE P-51 PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE STANDING C-172.
Apr 26, 1989	TRAVIS AFB, CA	N151D	Incident	substantial	THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR FAILING TO FULLY EXTEND FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN ITS COLLAPSING DURING LANDING.
Nov 07, 1987	DETROIT, MI	N6341T	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 14, 1985	RENO, NV	N10607	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 18, 1982	RENO, NV	N151DM	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

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North American P-51D Safety Record

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