North American P-51D accident near Jerome, Idaho, July 3, 2003
On July 3, 2003 at about 5:00 pm local time, a North American P-51D, registered N2869D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jerome, Idaho (Jerome County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 3, 2003 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Jerome, Idaho · Jerome County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American P-51D · all P-51Ds on the register
- Registration
- N2869D · registry record · serial 44-84390
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the engine overheated, then lost coolant. The coolant covered the windshield and he had a hard time seeing in front of him for the return to the airport for landing. During the touchdown, the aircraft landed hard and slid off the side of the runway. During an inspection by maintenance personnel, it was found that the left wing spar was bent and required replacement. It was also found that the relief valve to the aftercooling system header tank failed, subsequently releasing the coolant. The aftercooling system is of the low pressure type, incorporating a relief valve which relieves at approximately 18 to 20 pounds per square inch. The flight manual states in several areas for start, ground operations and takeoff to closely monitor coolant temperatures to prevent overheating.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,000 hours in all; 450 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 9,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls-Royce V-1650 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JER Jerome DC at 5:00 pm
- Destination: PIH Pocatello ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 5,201 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.