North American P51D accident near Chandler, Arizona, March 11, 2010
On March 11, 2010 at about 8:23 pm local time, a North American P51D, registered N514NH, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Chandler, Arizona (Stellar Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper flare, resulting in a bounced landing, stall, and loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 11, 2010 · about 8:23 pm local time
- Place
- Chandler, Arizona · Stellar Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American P51D · all P51Ds on the register
- Registration
- N514NH · registry record · serial 44-84850
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane bounced several times after touchdown followed by the nose pitching up 20-25 degrees. The airplane became airborne about 20 feet above the runway surface and stalled. The left wing dropped down about 20 degrees and the nose yawed about 30 degrees to the left of the runway heading. The pilot appeared to have taken the proper steps to regain control of the airplane, as the nose was lowered to about a level flight attitude, the wings leveled, and the application of power was heard. Despite his apparent efforts, these inputs were not sufficient to maintain directional control or alignment with the runway. The airplane departed the east edge of the runway before crossing the grass infield and the perpendicular taxiway. Witnesses reported that even after veering of the runway the airplane continued to accelerate, giving the appearance that the pilot was attempting to attain flying speed and depart. The airplane briefly became airborne before colliding with a large rock and fence post. It continued across the parking ramp and collided with a hangar, at which point it was consumed by fire.
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
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,890 hours in all; 49 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: December 29, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,104 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 9, 2009; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 10,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls-Royce V-1650-7 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Hirani Oil Arizona LLC
The flight
- Departed from: P19 Chandler AZ at 8:00 pm
- Destination: P19 Chandler AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,913 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 7:47 pm from CHD, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.