North American-Aero Classics P-51D accident near Monroe, Michigan, September 6, 1997
On September 6, 1997 at about 3:03 pm local time, a North American-Aero Classics P-51D, registered N6345T, was destroyed in an accident near Monroe, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot operating the airplane with a known coolant leak, coolant exhaustion, overheating of the engine, and subsequent failure of a connecting rod, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to see the powerline. The powerline was a related factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 6, 1997 · about 3:03 pm local time
- Place
- Monroe, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American-Aero Classics P-51D
- Registration
- N6345T · no longer on the register · serial 44-63507
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness videotaped the airplane taking off from Toledo Express Airport at about 1053 edt. The witness said that he observed gray/white smoke coming from the rear of the airplane. At approximately 1100 edt, a witness traveling eastbound in his vehicle on Michigan State Highway M-50, west of Monroe, Michigan, heard a 'loud vibration/screaming noise and then observed a plane flying eastbound approximately 40 feet along the treetops, just north of M-50. The plane had heavy white and black smoke pouring from the rear. The plane banked right, hit a powerline and plunged to the ground.' Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right front connecting rod was broken near the journal. Metal specks were observed on the cylinders, and molten metal droplets were found in the engine exhaust ports. Examination of the radiator showed small amount of coolant inside. Five empty containers of anti-freeze were found in the left wing locker at the accident site.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,285 hours in all; 165 in this make and model; 64 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 20, 1997
- Maximum gross weight: 8,157 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls-Royce MERLIN V-1650 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: TOL Toledo OH at 2:53 pm
- Destination: YIP Ypsilanti MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:54 pm from DTW, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.