World War 2 In Review

Surviving North American P-51 Mustangs

This is a list of surviving North American P-51 Mustangs, including airworthy planes and planes on display.

Surviving Aircraft

Australia

Airworthy

CA-18 Mustang 21

A68-104 - Robbie Eastgate, formerly owned by Bob Eastgate (d.2020) at Melbourne, Victoria; one of Australia's oldest operating warbirds, registered as VH-BOB, underwent a 15-year restoration, taking to the air again on 26 January 2023.

A68-105 (painted as Mustang IV KH677/CV-P) – Judy Pay and Richard Hourigan at Tyabb, Victoria.

A68-107 – Pay's Air Service in Scone, New South Wales.

A68-110 (painted as P-51D A68-769) – Caboolture Warplane Museum in Caboolture, Queensland.

A68-118 – Jeff Trappett in Morwell, Victoria.

CA-18 Mustang 23

A68-107 – "Duffy's Delight" with the Air Force Heritage Squadron, RAAF Base Point Cook.

CA-18 Mustang 22

A68-199 – Peter Gill Tyabb, Victoria. Sold to Aerial Speed Icons Shellharbour Airport, New South Wales.

P-51D

45-11526 – VH-FST "The Flying Undertaker" Wylie Aviation in Perth, Western Australia. Since 2016 owned by Bishopp Aviation, Queensland.

On display

P-51D

A68-648 (44-13106) – Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Under restoration

CA-17 Mustang 20

A68-71 – Australian National Aviation Museum at Moorabbin, Victoria.

P-51D

A68-750 (44-84489) – Peter N. Anderson in Sydney.

Austria

Airworthy

P-51D

44-74427 Nooky Booky IV - based at The Flying Bulls in Salzburg

Belgium

44-72826 Scat VI – former plane of Brigadier General Robin Olds, was privately owned in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where it crashed. It was subsequently restored and is now flying in Belgium, privately owned.

Canada

Airworthy

P-51D

44-73210 – CanAm Investments in The Pas, Manitoba.

44-73463 – Michael Potter in Ottawa.

On display

P-51D

44-73347 – Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Rockcliffe, Ontario.

China

On display

P-51D

44-73920 – Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing.

P-51K

44-12458 – People's Liberation Army Air Force Museum in Changping.

Czech Republic

Airworthy

P-51D

45-11540 Excalibur – sold by Jim Read to a private Czech owner.

Dominican Republic

On display

P-51D

44-72123 – San Isidro Air Force Base in Santo Domingo.

France

On display

P-51D

44-63871 – Musee de l'Air in Paris.

Germany

Airworthy

P-51D

44-72773 Lucky Lady VII (D-FPSI) – Christoph Nöthinger in Eschbach, Bremgarten Airfield (EDTG).

44-72811 – Stefan Bungarten at Eschbach, Bremgarten Airfield (EDTG).

44-73871 – Max Alpha Aviation in Eschbach, Bremgarten Airfield (EDTG).

44-73254 Louisiana Kid – Wilhelm Heinz near Bitz, Albstadt-Degerfeld Airfield (EDSA)

Indonesia

On display

P-51K

44-12752 / F-303 – Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, East Jakarta, Jakarta.

P-51D

44-84801 / F-338 – The Indonesian Air Force HQ, East Jakarta, Jakarta.

Cavalier Mustang II

44-74229 / F-362 – The Indonesian Air Force HQ, East Jakarta, Jakarta.

44-84473 / F-347 – Satriamandala Museum, South Jakarta, Jakarta.

Unknown / F-354 – Museum Palagan Ambarawa, Semarang Regency, Central Java. Painted in ML-KNIL livery.

Unknown / F-361 – Dirgantara Mandala Museum, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. Painted in Ignatius Dewanto's F-338 livery.

Unknown / F-363 – Abdul Rachman Saleh Airbase, Malang, East Java.

Israel

On display

P-51D

Israeli Defense Force s/n 18 (later, s/n 38) - The Israeli Air Force Museum Collection in Beer Sheva.

Israeli Defense Force s/n 41 - The Israeli Air Force Museum Collection in Beer Sheva.

P-51K

44-11811 – The Israeli Air Force Museum Collection in Beer Sheva.

Italy

Airworthy

P-51D

44-73864 – private owner in Crocetta del Montello.

On display

P-51D

44-73444 – Italian Air Force Museum at Vigna di Valle Air Force Base.

Mexico

Airworthy

P-51D

44-72934 – Humberto Lobo in Monterey.

Netherlands

Airworthy

P-51D

44-74425 – 'Damn Yankee' Owner Tom van der Meulen at Oostwold Airport (EHOW). Made a belly landing on 30-09-23.

44-74923 – 'Trusty Rusty' Owner 'Early Birds' foundation Lelystad Airport (EHLE).

On display

P-51K

44-12125 – former USAAF plane painted in Dutch East Indies markings on display at The Nationaal Militair Museum in Soesterberg.

New Zealand

Airworthy

P-51D

45-11513 - NZ2423, Brendon Deere/Biggin Hill Trust, RNZAF Ohakea ex John Smith Collection, Mapua.

44-74829 – Graham Bethell, based at Ardmore, Auckland.

On display

P-51D

44-74827 – RNZAF Museum at Wigram Air Force Base.

Philippines

On display

P-51D

44-74627 - Cesar Basa Air Base.

3733/4823 - "Shark of Zambales"Philippine Air Force Aerospace MuseumPasay City.

475562 - Captain Jesus Z Singson’s "Red Knight" on display at Zamboanga International Airport. The aircraft had already been repainted, not completely accurately.

South Africa

Airworthy

P-51D

44-74494 - Mustang Sally - Rand Airport FAGM (Previously based in USA; "Mustang Sally" , "Mangia Pane" & "Iron Ass")

Under restoration

P-51D

44-72202 – Patsy Dawn - SAAF Museum at Swartkop Air Force Base.

South Korea

On display

P-51D

Jeju Aerospace Museum, Jeju Island

KAI Aerospace Museum, Sacheon

National Aviation Museum of Korea, Gimpo

Korea Air Force Academy

44-73494 – War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.

44-84669 – War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.

Sweden

Airworthy

Cavalier Mustang II

44-10753 (adopted serial number, exact identity of a/c is unknown). Former Salvadoran Air Force FAS 405 – Biltema Nordic Services AB. Aircraft based in Ängelholm.

On display

P-51D

44-63992 Swedish Air Force number 26020 – Swedish Air Force Museum, Linköping.

44-72112 Swedish Air Force number 26084 – wreckage salvaged from a moor near Vidsel in 1998. Restored and is now on display at Flygmuseet F21, Luleå.

Switzerland

On display

P-51D

44-73349 – Swiss Air Force Museum in Dubendorf.

Turkey

Airworthy

P-51D

44-13704 Ferocious Frankie – M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum, Sivrihisar.

United Kingdom

Airworthy

P-51D

44-72035 – Hangar 11 Collection in North Weald, Essex.

44-72216 – Robs Lamplough in Duxford and North Weald.

44-73149 – Old Flying Machine Company in Duxford.

44-73877 – Shaun Patrick, Sharkmouth Ltd., Goodwood.

On display

P-51D

44-14574 – East Essex Aviation Museum in Essex.

44-73979 – The Imperial War Museum in London.

44-74409 Donald – RAF Museum in Hendon.

44-73415 – RAF Museum Cosford.

Under restoration

P-51D

44-13954 – Mustang Restoration Group in Coventry.

44-14291 – Phil G. Earthey.

44-73098 – Aces High Ltd., Duxford.

44-73822 Lil Margaret – privately owned in Bungay, Norfolk.

Other

P-51D

45-11518 – Maurice Hammond in Eye, Suffolk. Airworthy until crashed at Hardwick, Norfolk on October 2, 2016.

44-84847 – Miss Velma, of The Fighter Collection, in Duxford. The aircraft experienced engine problems concluding an exhibit and force-landed short of the Duxford runway in a wheat field. The crew was unharmed; the aircraft received moderate damage. The aircraft is currently undergoing repairs to airworthy condition.

United States

Airworthy

CA-17 Mustang 20

A68-1 (painted as 44-15757 Jeannie Too) – privately owned in Troy, Alabama.

A68-39 (painted as 44-14826) – based at Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon.

CA-18 Mustang 21

A68-100 (painted as 44-14777 Flying Dutchman) – privately owned in Snellville, Georgia.

CA-18 Mustang 22

A68-187 (painted as 44-74839 La Pistolera) – based at Lewis Air Legends in San Antonio, Texas.

A68-198 (painted as 45-11483 Short-Fuse-Salle) – privately owned in Ozona, Texas.

CA-18 Mustang 23

A68-175 (painted as 44-74950 Slender Tender Tall) – privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.

Cavalier Mustang II

67-14866 Bum Steer – privately owned in Houston, Texas.

67-22579 Mormon Mustang – privately owned in Rexburg, Idaho.

67-22580 Six Shooter – privately owned in Ennis, Montana.

67-22581 Lou IV – based at the Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas.

P-51A

43-6006 (unnamed, painted as XP-51 41-039) – privately owned in Syracuse, Kansas.

43-6251 Mrs. Virginia – based at Planes of Fame in Chino, California.

P-51B

42-106638 Impatient Virgin – based at Historic Flight Foundation in Spokane, Washington.

43-12252 Old Crow – privately owned (Jack Roush) in Livonia, Michigan.

43-24837 Berlin Express – privately owned in Houston, Texas.

P-51C

42-103645 Tuskegee Airmen – based at Commemorative Air Force (Red Tail Squadron) in South St. Paul, Minnesota.

42-103831 Ina the Macon Belle – based at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.

43-24907 Lope's Hope 3rd – based at Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota.

43-25057 Boise Bee – based at Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, Idaho.

43-25147 Princess Elizabeth – privately owned in Houston, Texas.

TP-51C

42-103293 Betty Jane – based at Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts.

P-51D

44-10755 Cottonmouth – privately owned in Bridgman, Michigan.

44-11153 Kimberly Kaye – privately owned in Pleasanton, California.

44-12858 Sonny Boy – privately owned in Edmonds, Washington.

44-13105 Strega – privately owned in Bakersfield, California.

44-13250 Ridge Runner III – privately owned in Blaine, Minnesota.

44-13253 Korbel Champagne Mustang, formerly Goldfinger – privately owned in Guerneville, California.

44-13257 Slender Tender & Tall – privately owned in Sarasota, Florida.

44-13903 Frances Dell – privately owned in Louisville, Colorado.

44-13521 Marinell – privately owned in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

44-14985 Millie G – privately owned in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

44-63350 Lou IV – privately owned in Wenatchee, Washington.

44-63473 Big Beautiful Doll's privately owned in Sacramento, California.

44-63476 KWITCHERBITCHEN – privately owned in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

44-63542 Jacqueline – previously privately owned in Carson City, Nevada. Now based at the American Airpower Museum in Republic Airport, Farmingdale, Long Island, New York since 2018.

44-63576 (unnamed) – privately owned in McMinnville, Oregon.

44-63577 Was That Too Fast – privately owned in Scottsdale, Arizona.

44-63663 Miss Marilyn II – privately owned in San Antonio, Texas.

44-63675 Sierra Sue / Gul Kalle – privately owned in Bloomington, Minnesota.

44-63701 Grim Reaper – privately owned in San Jose, California.

44-63807 Daddy's Girl – privately owned in McClellan, California.

44-63864 Twilight Tear – based at Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota.

44-63865 Tempus Fugit - privately owned in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

44-63893 Glamorous Glen III – privately owned in Reno, Nevada.

44-64122 Kansas City Kitty – privately owned in Jefferson City, Missouri.

44-72051 Sweet Revenge – based at Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota.

44-72145 Petie 3rd – privately owned in Santa Barbara, California.

44-72192 Straw Boss 2 – based at California Warbirds in Hollister, California.

44-72339 The Brat III – based at Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas. Removed from public display when the museum indefinitely closed on 1 January 2024. To be moved to North Texas Regional Airport in Denison, Texas.

44-72364 Upupa Epops – based at The Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington.

44-72438 Hell-er Bust – privately owned in Boise, Idaho.

44-72483 Double Trouble Two – based at Military Aviation Museum in Pungo, Virginia.

44-72739 Man O War – based at Commemorative Air Force (Southern California Wing) Camarillo, California.

44-72777 Blondie – privately owned in Klamath, California.

44-72907 Red Dog XII – privately owned in Castro Valley, California.

44-72942 Petie 2nd – privately owned in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

44-73029 Bald Eagle – privately owned in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

44-73079 Primo Branco – privately owned in Half Moon Bay, California.

44-73129 Merlin's Magic – privately owned in Danville, California.

44-73140 Petie 2nd – privately owned in New Iberia, Louisiana.

44-73142 E Pluribus Unum – privately owned in Port Orange, Florida.

44-73206 Hurry Home Honey – privately owned in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

44-73264 Gunfighter – based at Commemorative Air Force (Gunfighter Sponsor Group) in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

44-73275 Never Miss – privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.

44-73279 Sweet and Lovely – privately owned in Alva, Oklahoma.

44-73287 Worry Bird – based at Air Combat Museum in Springfield, Illinois.

44-73343 Live Bait – based at Lewis Air Legends in Houston, Texas.

44-73415 VooDoo – based at Planes of Fame in Chino, California.

44-73420 (unnamed) – based at Allied Fighters in Sun Valley, Idaho.

44-73436 American Beauty – based at Olympic Flight Museum in Olympia, Washington.

44-73454 This Is It – privately owned in New Castle, Delaware.

44-73543 Sweetie Face – privately owned in North Fort Myers, Florida.

44-73656 Moonbeam McSwine – based at Warbird Heritage Foundation in Waukegan, Illinois

44-73704 Weaver's Nude – privately owned in Los Altos, California.

44-73751 Miss Kandy – privately owned in Los Angeles, California.

44-73843 Old Red Nose – based at Commemorative Air Force (Dixie Wing) in Peachtree City, Georgia.

44-73856 Double Trouble Two – privately owned in Houston, Texas.

44-73990 Alabama Rammer Jammer – privately owned in Geiger, Alabama.

44-74008 Comfortably Numb – privately owned in Lodi, California.

44-74009 Ain't Missbehavin – privately owned in Shoal Creek, Alabama.

44-74012 (unnamed) – based at Stonehenge Air Museum in Lincoln County, Montana.

44-74202 Swamp Fox – privately owned in Concord, North Carolina.

44-74230 Gentleman Jim – privately owned (Jack Roush) in Livonia, Michigan.

44-74389 Speedball Alice – privately owned in Sebastopol, California.

44-74391 The Hun Hunter/Texas – privately owned in Houston, Texas.

44-74404 Dazzling Donna – privately owned in Kindred, North Dakota.

44-74423 Miss Van Nuys – privately owned in Los Angeles, California.

44-74458 Sizzlin' Liz – privately owned in Jacksonville, Florida.

44-74466 Barbara Jean – privately owned in Raymond, Nebraska.

44-74483 (unnamed) – privately owned in Vineburg, California.

44-74497 Little Witch – privately owned in Kissimmee, Florida.

44-74502 Crazy Horse 2 – privately owned in Kissimmee, Florida.

44-74506 Lady B – privately owned in Port Orange, Florida.

44-74524 Dakota Kid/Long Island Kid – based at Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota.

44-74536 Miss America – based at Oklahoma Museum of Flying in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

44-74582 Crusader – privately owned in Denver, Colorado.

44-74602 (unnamed) – privately owned in Ione, California.

44-74739 Ole Yeller – based at Legacy Flight Museum in Rexburg, Idaho.

44-74774 Old Crow – privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.

44-74832 Boomer – based at Fargo Air Museum in Fargo, North Dakota.

44-74865 My Sweet Mary Lou – privately owned in Provo, Utah.

44-74813 Cripes a Mighty – privately owned in Coshocton, Ohio.

44-74878 (unnamed) – privately owned in Indianapolis, Indiana.

44-74908 Bunny – based at Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, California.

44-74976 Obsession – privately owned in Port Orange, Florida.

44-74977 Charlotte's Chariot II – privately owned in Helena, Montana.

44-74996 Dago Red – privately owned in Kerman, California.

44-75009 Rosalie – privately owned in Carson City, Nevada.

44-75452 Happy Jack's Go Buggy – privately owned in San Antonio, Texas.

44-84390 Bardahl Special – privately owned in McKinleyville, California.

44-84410 Cincinnati Miss – based at Tri-State Warbird Museum in Batavia, Ohio.

44-84615 Blood Brother – privately owned in Sidney, Montana.

44-84655 Toulouse Nuts – based at the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts.This aircraft has two seats.

44-84658 The Friendly Ghost – based at War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

44-84745 Crazy Horse – privately owned in Nashua, New Hampshire.

44-84753 Buzzin Cuzzin – privately owned in Holderness, New Hampshire.

44-84860 Lady Jo – privately owned in Cloverdale, California.

44-84864 (unnamed) – privately owned in Hayward, California.

44-84900 NACA 127 – privately owned in Las Vegas, Nevada.

44-84933 The Rebel – privately owned in Wellington, Florida.

44-84952 Sarah Jean – privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.

44-84961 Wee Willy II – based at Planes of Fame in Chino, California.

45-11367 Angels Playmate – privately owned in Cheraw, South Carolina.

45-11391 Boo Man Choo – privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.

45-11439 Quicksilver – privately owned in Maxwelton, West Virginia.

45-11471 Diamondback – privately owned in Boise, Idaho.

45-11495 Little Rebel – privately owned in Alva, Oklahoma.

45-11507 Cripes a Mighty 3rd – based at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.

45-11525 Val Halla – based at Heritage Flight Museum in Eastsound, Washington.

45-11553 Shangri-La – privately owned in Montgomery, Texas.

45-11558 (unnamed) – privately owned in Los Angeles, California.

45-11559 Mad Max – privately owned in Little Falls, New Jersey.

45-11582 Dolly – based at Planes of Fame in Chino, California.

45-11586 Little Horse – based at Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota.

45-11628 Ho Hun – privately owned in Mesa, Arizona.

45-11633 Lady Alice – privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.

45-11636 Stang Evil – privately owned in Lakewood, Colorado.

P-51H

44-64314 (unnamed) – privately owned in Alamo, California.

P-51K

44-12016 Fragile but Agile – privately owned in Houston, Texas.

44-12840 Kiss Me Kate – privately owned by Tom Cruise via Valhalla Aviation Inc. in Los Angeles, California. Cruise personally flew the plane in the movie Top Gun: Maverick.

44-12852 Frenesi – privately owned in Houston, Texas.

On display

Cavalier Mustang II

68-15795 – Minnesota Air National Guard Museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

XP-51

41-038 Original XP-51 – EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

P-51A

43-6274 (unnamed) – Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.

P-51C

44-10947 Excalibur III – Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia.

P-51D

serial number unknown Bunnie/Miss Kentucky State – National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.

serial number unknown Feeble Eagle – Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.

serial number unknown – South Carolina Air National Guard Memorial Park, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina.

assembled from multiple P-51 hulks/multiple serial numbers; marked as 44-13371 Audrey – Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, Utah.

44-13571 No unique name; painted as post-WW II Eglin Field armament evaluation aircraft- Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, Florida.

44-63272 Bad Angel – Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona.

44-63615 Bunnie – Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.

44-72948 Wham Bam – Charleston ANGB, West Virginia.

44-72989 (unnamed) – Volk Field ANGB, Wisconsin.

44-73683 Bunnie – San Diego Aerospace Museum in San Diego, California.

44-73972 (unnamed) – Fresno ANGB in Fresno, California.

44-74216 Derailer – Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama.

44-74407 (unnamed) – Fargo ANGB/Hector Field in Fargo, North Dakota.

44-74910 Miss Judy – Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.

44-74936 Shimmy IV – National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.

44-74939 Willit Run? – National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

44-75007 Paul I – EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

P-51H

44-64265 Louisiana Heatwave – Museum of Aviation, Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia. Formerly on display at Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum at the former Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois.

44-64376 (unnamed) – Lackland AFB in Texas.

P-51K

44-12116 Second Fiddle – Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

Under restoration or in storage

P-51A

43-6178 – in storage at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.

P-51C

42-103740 – to airworthiness by The Oklahoma Museum of Flying in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

P-51D

44-63762 – to airworthiness by private owner in Camden, Delaware.

44-63791 – to airworthiness by private owner in Pensacola, Florida.

44-63889 Queen of Hearts – to airworthiness by private owner in Onalaska, Texas.

44-64005 Mary Mine – to airworthiness by private owner.

44-72028 – to airworthiness by private owner in Camden, Delaware.

44-72059 – to airworthiness by private owner in Wilmington, Delaware.

44-72395 – to airworthiness by private owner in Camden, Delaware.

44-72400 – for static display by New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

44-72902 American Dreamer – in storage by private owner in West Hollywood, California.

44-72936 – to airworthiness by private owner in Encino, California.

44-72990 (unnamed) – in storage at US Army Aviation Museum at Fort Novosel, Alabama.

44-73081 – in storage by private owner in Hayward, California.

44-73163 – to airworthiness by private owner in Hot Springs, North Carolina.

44-73323 – to airworthiness by private owner in Encino, California.

44-73350 Archie – in storage by private owner in Belle, Missouri.

44-73437 – to airworthiness by private owner in Dover, Delaware.

44-73518 Precious Metal – to airworthiness by private owner in Hollywood, Florida.

44-74311 RCAF 9577 – in storage by private owner in San Martin, California.

44-74469 Red Dog – in storage by private owner in Chandler, Arizona.

44-74543 Geraldine – to airworthiness by private owner in Sierra Madre, California.

44-74960 – to airworthiness by private owner in Valparaiso, Indiana.

44-75024 – to airworthiness by War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

44-77902 – in storage by private owner in Big Spring, Texas.

44-84850 Su Su – to airworthiness by private owner in La Mesa, California.

44-84896 – to airworthiness by private owner in Pensacola, Florida.

44-84962 – in storage by private owner in New Athens, Illinois.

45-11571 – in storage by private owner in Bandon, Oregon.

P-51H

44-64375 – to airworthiness by private owner in Blaine, Minnesota.

P-51K

44-11807 – to airworthiness by private owner in Fargo, North Dakota.

44-12118 – to airworthiness by private owner in Bemidji, Minnesota.

44-12140 – in storage by private owner in San Diego, California.

Venezuela

On display

P-51D

45-11458 – Museo Aeronautico at Maracay Air Force Base.

Accidents and Incidents Involving the North American P-51 Mustang

This is a partial list of accidents and incidents involving the North American P-51 Mustang and its variants. Combat losses are not included except for a very few cases denoted by singular circumstances. Accidents involving Mustang replicas are not included unless they are faithful to the original design and/or built using original parts.

The P-51 Mustang was first flown in 1940, and it went on to become one of the most iconic USAAF fighter aircraft of World War II. The type was rendered obsolete as a fighter with the beginning of the Jet Age, but it continued to serve in the Korean War in the ground attack role. Many P-51s were sold as surplus, becoming a popular mount for air racers.

1940s

20 November 1940: The North American NA-73X (Mustang prototype), NX19998, crashed on its fifth flight after test pilot Paul Balfour neglected to go through the takeoff and flight test procedure with designer Edgar Schmued prior to a high-speed test run, claiming "one airplane was like another." The NA-73X ran out of fuel on its third pass over Mines Field, Los Angeles, California, after Balfour forgot to put the fuel valve on "reserve". Balfour made an emergency landing in a freshly plowed field, but the landing gear dug in and the aircraft flipped over. The aircraft was not rebuilt, and a second NA-73X was used for subsequent testing.

13 April 1944: North American P-51B-7-NA "Shangri La", 43-6913, crashed after its pilot, famed ace Dominic Salvatore "Don" Gentile, buzzed the 4th Fighter Group's Debden airfield for a group of press reporters and movie cameras. Gentile misjudged his height, and as a result crashed into the rising ground.

20 July 1944: Two North American P-51C-5-NTs, 42-103655 and 42-103728, flown by 2d Lt. John Keane "Jack" Egar and 2d Lt. James R. Cope, respectively, crashed on this date. The fighters, which were stationed at Pinellas Army Air Field, Florida, departed the airfield at 0700 hrs EWT originally for a local gunnery training mission, but instead flew to Jacksonville. At ~0745 hrs, Egar and Cope descended to an altitude of ~75 feet to buzz Egar's childhood home, which they had reportedly done before just two weeks prior. Egar's plane hit two trees and skidded across a street before hitting another tree, several houses, and a line of garages. Cole apparently took evasive action to avoid Egar's plane, but in doing so he himself hit a cluster of trees and flew into a house, resulting in one civilian fatality and a fire that destroyed the house and the house next door. Both Egar and Cole were killed, and three civilians were injured, one seriously. A commemoration of the accident was held at the crash site on 21 July 2012.

26 October 1944: A North American P-51D-15-NA, 44-15669, piloted by WASP pilot Gertrude Tompkins Silver, disappeared while being ferried from Mines Field, Los Angeles, California, to Palm Springs, Florida. A massive search effort was conducted, although it was delayed several days due to a paperwork foul-up, but no trace of Silver or the aircraft were found. That day, a 12 year old Frank Jacobs stood at the end of a pier in Manhattan Beach, California, when he saw a "silver plane" spiral into the sea. Based on his report, another search for the aircraft was conducted in October 2009. Silver is currently the only missing WASP pilot.

19 January 1945: A Royal Air Force North American Mustang Mk IV, KH648, piloted by Gp. Capt. J. F. X. McKenna, crashed during a familiarization flight over Old Sarum Airfield when the cover of its ammunition box detached at high speed and caused the wing to shed. McKenna was killed in the accident.

6 May 1945: North American P-51D-5-NA "Mine 3 Express", 44-13720, piloted by 1st Lt. Vincent J. Rudnick, was on a local aerobatics and training flight out of Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire, when Rudnick lost control of the aircraft near Stoke Ferry at the top of a loop. The aircraft went into an irrecoverable spin and Rudnick bailed out before the aircraft hit the ground.

September 1946: Two Mustangs, North American P-51K-10-NT, NX6611 (ex-44-12140), and North American F-6K-15-NT "Full House" ("Race 80"), NX66111 (ex-44-12852) crashed in during the Bendix Trophy air race held in Cleveland, Ohio. NX6611 was subsequently rebuilt, and is in storage with the registration N119VF as of 2012. "Full House" was rebuilt as a Cavalier Mustang, and as of 2002 flies as "Frenesi" (N357FG).

8 May 1947: A North American P-51D-30-NA, 44-74652, piloted by Max J. Christensen, crashed near Cassatt, South Carolina. Firefighters and ambulances responded to the scene, but Christensen was reportedly uninjured.

September 1947: Mustangs were among the many aircraft to crash during the 1947 Thompson Trophy in Cleveland:

North American A-36A "City of Lynchburg II" ("Race 15"), NX39502 (ex-42-83665), piloted by Woody Edmundson, suffered an engine explosion on the eleventh lap. Edmondson survived, but was knocked unconscious during the crash. Later rebuilt, currently on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force as "Margie H".

North American A-36A, NX4E (ex-42-83769), blew its engine in flight. Pilot bailed out uninjured.

North American P-51C-5-NT "Race 34", NX4E (ex-42-83769) piloted by Jack Hardwick, suffered an engine explosion and crashed on the first lap. Hardwick was uninjured.

North American P-51D "Jay Dee" ("Race 37"), N37492, piloted by Paul Penrose, suffered an oil leak and crashed on the eleventh lap, injuring Penrose.

21 November 1947: An F-51[1] piloted by 1st Lt. Jack C. Langston collided with a North American T-6 Texan piloted by 1st Lt. Thomas P. Demos over Williams Field, Arizona. Demos bailed out of his aircraft and was taken to a field hospital, while Langston was uninjured and managed to land his damaged aircraft on the airfield.

2 January 1948: A North American F-51D-25-NT, 45-11535, crashed 40 miles north of Roswell, New Mexico, killing its pilot.

7 January 1948: A North American F-51D-20-NA, 44-63869, piloted by Capt. Thomas F. Mantell Jr., crashed while trying to intercept what Mantell thought was a flying saucer near Franklin, Kentucky, killing Mantell. Witnesses reported that the aircraft "exploded in the air and crashed near Franklin". One explanation for this incident is that the object Mantell tried to intercept was a Skyhook balloon, and that an oxygen system failure caused him to lose consciousness and crash. This incident is notorious among those who study ufology.

9 April 1948: A North American F-51D-30-NA, 44-74913, piloted by Capt. William Robbins, crashed at Eglin AFB, Florida, killing Robbins and ending a six-month fatality-free period at the air base.

29 April 1948: Lt. Ralph Van Kerhove crash landed his F-51 on mud flats 20 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska. The injured Kerhove escaped from his aircraft before it exploded. He was rescued by a helicopter crew and was taken to a hospital at the nearby Fort Richardson.

6 May 1948: Two North American F-51s went missing over Alaska. They were found two days later 90 miles north of Fairbanks, where the pilots, Lts. Grady Morris and Garnett D. Page, had crash landed. Both pilots were uninjured.

13 May 1948: Two North American F-51s collided in mid-air during training exercises over Anchorage, Alaska, killing both pilots. One body was found floating in an oil slick on the water but the other body was not immediately recovered.

17 May 1948: A surplus P-51, piloted by test pilot R. S. Carter, exploded in flight over Newark, California.

20 June 1948: A North American F-51D-20-NA, 44-63700, piloted by 2nd Lt. Richard Ambrose, crashed at Gray Field, Fort Lewis, Washington after a formation flight over Gov. Mon C. Wallgren's reviewing stand during a Governor's Day review. Ambrose died in the accident.

27 June 1948: A North American F-51, piloted by Lt. Raymond L. Mathews, collided with a Douglas B-26 Invader over Blythe, California. Mathews parachuted to safety, as did Lt. Harold A. Bowen, a member of the B-26 crew. The other three B-26 crew members, two of which were identified as 1st Lt. William E. Van Delinder and 2nd Lt. Robert Aiken, died in the accident.

September 1948: North American P-51B-15-NA "Air Power Is Peace Power" ("Race 13"), NX28388 (ex-43-24760), crashed during the 1948 Bendix Trophy. As of 2003, the aircraft is under restoration.

5 September 1949: North American F-6C-5-NT "Beguine" ("Race 7"), NX4845N (ex-42-103757), piloted by Bill Odom, crashed into a house during the 1949 Thompson Trophy. Odom was killed, as were two occupants of the house, Jeanne Laird and her infant son, Gregg. The accident was one of the reasons surplus aircraft did not race in the Thompson Trophy starting in 1951.

11 December 1949: A North American F-51D-25-NT, 45-11353, piloted by 1st Lt. Croston K. Stead, crashed during a mock dogfight during a training mission over Reno Air Force Base, Nevada. Stead was killed in the crash, and in January 1951 the base was renamed Stead Air Force Base in his honor.

1950s

15 March 1950: A North American F-51D-30-NA, 44-74896, piloted by Lt. Edwin F. Gutt, struck a building after landing at Las Vegas Air Force Base, Nevada.

27 April 1951: A North American F-51D-25-NT, 44-84973, piloted by Lt. Fred Black, collided with a Convair B-36D-25-CF Peacemaker, 49-2658, northeast of Perkins, Oklahoma. Black was killed, as were 13 of the B-36's 17 crew.

15 December 1952: An Israeli Air Force North American TP-51K-10-NT, 2316 (ex-44-12139), reportedly crashed in Israel on this date. The aircraft, which had previously flown as "Race 65" under the civil registration NX40055, was reportedly rebuilt, with its last known civil registration being N357FG. As of 2020 the registration is still valid.

11 October 1953: A North American F-51, piloted by Lt. Frederick H. Reed, crashed in San Pablo Bay, California, killing Reed.

22 December 1953: Two Royal New Zealand Air Force North American P-51D-25-NTs, NZ2404, (ex-45-11493) and NZ2411 (ex-45-11501), piloted by Maxwell Stevens and Richard Westrupp, respectively, crashed when the pilots became disoriented in a cloud and lost control. Both pilots were killed.

6 January 1955: North American F-51H-10-NA, 44-64638, piloted by Capt. John S. Thompson, crashed following an engine failure over the Sierra Pelona Ridge. Thompson bailed out and the aircraft came down near the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, east of Soledad Canyon Road.

1960s

24 August 1961: A North American P-51D-20-NA, N6342T (ex-44-63843), crashed during a test flight in Carberry, Manitoba. The wreckage was subsequently sold.

12 April 1962: A CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk 21, G-ARUK (ex-A68-113), piloted by Ron Flockhart, entered a cloud and crashed into the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia. Flockhart was killed in the accident.

15 June 1964: A North American P-51D-30-NA, N1451D (ex-44-74446), crashed shortly after takeoff in Durango, Colorado, killing its two occupants.

23 or 28 August 1964: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N8678E (ex-44-73028), stalled and spun out of control, resulting in two fatalities.

1 May 1965: A North American P-51D-20-NA, N6153U (ex-44-63655), crashed on a delivery flight on this date. The aircraft was presumably rebuilt, being registered N5500S as of 1992. The registration is still valid as of 2020.

25 September 1965: A North American P-51D-30-NA, N5151 (ex-44-74994), stalled during a landing approach, resulting in one fatality.

17 February 1966: A North American P-51D-25-NT, N5162N (ex-45-11540), crashed on takeoff following a premature liftoff in Columbia, Missouri, resulting in one serious injury.

17 April 1966: Cavalier Mustang "Race 99", N551D (ex-North American P-51D-25-NT 45-11489), crashed while performing aerobatics in Lincoln, Virginia, resulting in one fatality.

3 September 1967: A North American P-51D-25-NT, N2871D (ex-45-11367), piloted by James L. Ventura, crashed due to bad weather during an air race in Minden, Nebraska, killing Ventura. The dataplate of this aircraft was transferred to P-51D-20-NA N63810 (ex-44-63810), which, as of 2002, flies as "Angels Playmate".

18 November 1967: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N12065 (ex-44-73428), stalled on landing in Brownwood, Texas, resulting in a fire and one fatality.

1968: A North American P-51D-20-NA, N6345T (ex-44-63507), crashed in Brownwood, Texas. The aircraft was subsequently restored, but was destroyed in a fatal crash on 6 September 1997. Parts from this aircraft were also used in the restoration of P-51D-20-NA ex-44-72483, which flies as "Double Trouble Two" as of 2008.

21 April 1968: A North American P-51D-20-NA, N2114 (ex-44-63634), suffered an engine failure and was forced to make a gear up landing in Springfield, Illinois. Both occupants were injured, one seriously.

1970s

15 February 1970: A Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-18 Mustang Mk 22, VH-DBB (ex-A68-193), piloted by Donald Busch, stalled and crashed after completing a flyover at an airshow in Bendigo, Australia. The aircraft caught fire, killing Busch.

27 June 1970: North American P-51D-20-NA "Race 18", N6518D (ex-44-63872), piloted by Tom J. Kutchinsky, stalled during an airshow performance in Harlingen, Texas, killing Kutchinsky.

16 August 1970: A North American P-51D-30-NA, N5410V (ex-44-74996), crashed following an engine failure in Concord, California. Both occupants were injured, one seriously. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and as of 2002 flies as "Dago Red" ("Race 4").

23 October 1970: A North American P-51D-30-NA, N130JT (ex-44-74435), suffered a propeller failure and crashed when the pilot misjudged the emergency landing in Rockport, Texas. Both occupants were seriously injured.

24 March 1971: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N6302T (ex-44-73216), lost power and stalled on takeoff in Hot Springs, Arkansas, resulting in two fatalities. The dataplate of this aircraft was transferred to another P-51D, which later crashed on 26 June 1987.

12 July 1971: The second Piper PA-48 Enforcer, N202PE, crashed of a structural failure in Vero Beach, Florida.

25 August 1971: The left wing of a North American P-51D-30-NA, N511D (ex-44-74950), separated from the aircraft while performing aerobatics near Palmdale, California, resulting in two fatalities. The dataplate of this aircraft was subsequently transferred to a CAC CA-18, which, as of 2011, flies as "Slender, Tender & Tall" (NL51DT).

3 June 1972: A Cavalier Mustang, N6303T (ex-North American P-51D-20-NA 44-63481), piloted by Richard K. Kestle, suffered a structural failure and crashed in Griffin, Georgia, killing Kestle.

20 or 30 December 1972: A Cavalier Mustang, N9149R (ex-North American P-51D-30-NA 44-74441), crashed and was destroyed by a fire in Flowery Branch, Georgia, resulting in two fatalities.

8 April 1973: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N469P (ex-44-73240), was caught in a crosswind and crashed on landing in Atlanta, Georgia, striking 7 parked aircraft and resulting in two fatalities.

17 May 1973: A Cavalier Mustang 2000, N5461V (ex-North American P-51D-25-NA 44-73210), piloted by Kenneth Boomhower, lost power on takeoff and stalled, killing Boomhower. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and as of 2017 flies as Miracle Maker (CF-IKE).

9 June 1973: A North American P-51D-30-NT, N2872D (ex-45-11620), piloted by William Penn Patrick, stalled and crashed, killing Patrick and his passenger, Christian George Hagert.

11 June 1973: A CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk 21, VH-IVI (ex-A68-119), was destroyed in a crash in Sydney, Australia, killing its pilot, Raymond J. Whitebread.

5 or 6 September 1973: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N2116 (ex-44-73990), suffered a coolant pump failure in flight and struck a car while attempting to make an emergency landing on a highway in Yanceyville, North Carolina. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt and as of 2017 flies as Alabama Rammer Jammer (N51TH).

19 October 1973: A CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk 22, PI-C651 (ex-A68-192), crash landed at Manila International Airport in Manila, Philippines. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, crashing again on 10 July 2011 after suffering a mid-air collision.

13 October 1974: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N5412V (ex-44-73586), crashed and was destroyed by a fire in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, resulting in one fatality.

17 February 1975: A Cavalier Mustang II of the Indonesian Air Force, piloted by First Lieutenant Effendi, crashed at the end of runway at Branti Airfield, Lampung, Indonesia, killing its pilot. The aircraft crashed shortly after take off on 15.30 UTC+7 for a flight to Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase during "Wibawa" joint exercise.

8 June 1975: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N76AF (ex-44-74008), piloted by John Crumlish, stalled while performing aerobatics in Martha's Vineyard, Connecticut, killing Crumlish. The aircraft's dataplate was subsequently transferred to another P-51D-25-NA, ex-44-73339, which, as of 2004, flies under the registration N510TT.

15 October 1975: Two Mustangs, North American P-51D-25-NA N651D (ex-44-73857), piloted by John Boulton, and P-51D-30-NA CF-USA (ex-44-74850), piloted by Don Plumb, crashed during a thunderstorm in Big Spring, Texas, resulting in three fatalities, including Boulton and Plumb.

6 June 1976: CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk 22 "Miss Zulu", VH-BOZ (ex-A68-199), crashed on takeoff in Bankstown, Australia. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and as of 2019 it flies under the registration VH-URZ.

16 June 1976: North American P-51D-30-NA "Miss Suzy Q" ("Race 33"), N69QF (ex-44-74756), piloted by Ken Burnstine, crashed on final approach to Mojave Airport, fatally injuring Burnstine.

5 July 1976: CAC CA-17 Mustang Mk 20 "Miss Yankee", VH-BOY (ex-A68-39), crashed in Bankstown, Australia. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and as of 2002 it flies under the registration N551D.

21 August 1976: A North American TF-51D-25-NT, N38228 (ex-44-84660), stalled during landing in Big Spring, Texas, resulting in two fatalities.

19 March 1977: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N6526D (ex-44-73415), crashed on takeoff in Olympia, Washington, resulting in two fatalities. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and as of 2012 flies as "Voodoo" ("Race 5", N551VC).

3 July 1977: A Cavalier Mustang 2000, I-BILL (ex-North American P-51D-30-NA 44-74694), piloted by Ormond Haydon-Baillie, crashed near Mainz, Germany, killing Haydon-Baillie.

15 February 1978: North American P-51D-25-NA "Color Me Gone", N117E (ex-44-73832), lost power and struck poles on final approach in Ellisville, Mississippi. The pilot escaped without injury, but the aircraft was severely damaged, its wings and most of it tail having been sheared off. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, fatally crashing on 21 November 1992, and is under restoration as of 2002.

21 August 1979: North American P-51D-25-NA "Passion Wagon" ("Race 51"), N332 (ex-44-74204), suffered a rudder failure and crashed in Salton City, California, resulting in one fatality. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, crashed again on 29 September 1990 and 12 September 1994, and as of 2001 is under restoration.

16 September 1979: North American P-51D-25-NT "Red Baron" ("Race 5" or "RB-51"), NL7715C (ex-44-84961), piloted by Steve Hinton, crashed during the Reno Air Races, severely injuring Hilton. The aircraft was a heavily modified racing aircraft, powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon 57 engine driving contra-rotating propellers from an Avro Shackleton. Following the crash, the dataplate of Red Baron was moved to P-51D-25-NA "Wee Willy II" (ex-44-73053).

16 December 1979: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N7711C (ex-44-72936), piloted by John McConnell, crashed while performing low altitude aerobatics in bad weather in Eufaula, Alabama, resulting in two fatalities, including McConnell. The aircraft is under restoration as of 2008.

1980s

4 October 1980: A Cavalier Mustang, N51MP (ex-North American P-51D-25-NA 44-73027), crashed and was destroyed by a fire in Lancaster, California, resulting in two fatalities. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and crashed again on 11 September 1998.

6 June 1981: A North American P-51D-25-NT, N5471V (ex-45-11381), suffered an engine failure and crashed on final approach in Casper, Wyoming. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, crashing again on 6 September 2001, and as of 2012 is in storage awaiting restoration.

11 September 1982: A North American P-51D-30-NT, N51JW (ex-45-11546), piloted by John P. Wright, crashed while performing aerobatics in Elko, Nevada, resulting in two fatalities, including Wright.

15 July 1984: North American P-51D-25-NA "Habu" ("Race 81"), N5449V (ex-44-73196), piloted by Earl Ketchen, crashed while performing aerobatics in Carbondale, Colorado, resulting in two fatalities, including Ketchen. The aircraft was reportedly rebuilt and registered G-CITN in August 2015.

17 November 1984: North American P-51D-25-NA "Late for Dinner", N51JL (ex-44-73849), piloted by Jack N. Levine, crashed after hitting a wire during a low pass in New Haven, Michigan, resulting in two fatalities, including Levine.

26 June 1987: A North American P-51D, N3278D, piloted by Wayne Meylan, crashed after failing to recover from a low-altitude roll in Manistee, Michigan, resulting in two fatalities, including Meylan. The aircraft's dataplate, itself taken from P-51D-25-NA N6302T (ex-44-73216), was reportedly transferred to another P-51D-25-NA (ex-44-73423), which was reported as "scrapped/destroyed" in September 2001.

7 March 1988: A North American P-51D, N51WE, crashed after suffering engine problems in bad weather in State College, Pennsylvania, resulting in one fatality. Some sources list this aircraft as P-51D-5-NT ex-44-11153, but this is in error as that aircraft was shot down over Germany in November 1944.

18 September 1988: World Jet P-51XR "Precious Metal" ("Race 9"), N6WJ, piloted by Don Whittington, blew its engine during the Reno Air Races and was forced to make a belly landing. This aircraft shared its name and race number with P-51D-25-NA N5483V, leading many to believe that it was the same aircraft. This aircraft was newly-built using parts from many different P-51s and a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, and is the same aircraft that suffered an engine fire while taxiing on 8 September 2015.

2 September 1989: North American P-51D-25-NA "Minute Man", N51MR (ex-44-73163), suffered engine problems and crashed on takeoff in Santa Monica, California. Both occupants were seriously injured.

6 September 1989: A North American P-51D-25-NA, N51VP (ex-44-73142), piloted by Vernon S. Peterson, crashed on takeoff in Denton, Texas, killing Peterson. The aircraft was subsequently restored, and as of 2008 flies as "E Pluribus Unum" (N51GY).

1990s

24 January 1990: North American P-51D-25-NA "Precious Metal" ("Race 9"), N5483V (ex-44-73518), ditched in the sea near Galveston, Texas, due to fuel starvation and bad weather, resulting in one severe injury. The aircraft was later salvaged and as of 2018 is under restoration. This is not the same "Precious Metal" as N6WJ, which was newly built in 1987 with a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine.

23 June 1990: A North American P-51D-20-NA, N12700 (ex-44-72446), piloted by Don Knapp, stalled and crashed at an airshow at Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas, killing Knapp.

1 July 1990: North American P-51D-30-NT "Death Rattler", N51HT (ex-45-11586), crashed at the National Capital Air Show at Ottawa, Ontario, killing its pilot, Harry E. Tope. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt and as of 2017 flies as "Little Horse" (N51PE).

18 July 1990: North American P-51D-30-NA "Joanne II and Jane", N512ED (ex-44-74600), crashed near Flying Cloud Airport in Hennepin County, Minnesota, resulting in two fatalities.

29 September 1990: North American P-51D-25-NA "Passion Wagon" ("Race 51"), N51U (ex-44-74204), piloted by George Enhorning, crashed in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, killing Enhorning. This aircraft, which previously crashed on 21 August 1979, was subsequently rebuilt before crashing again on 12 September 1994.

21 November 1992: North American P-51D-25-NA "Hurry Home Honey", N117E (ex-44-73832), piloted by Harvey E. Hunewill, crashed in Wellington, Nevada, killing Hunewill. The aircraft was the same as the one that crashed on 15 February 1978, and as of 2002 is under restoration as a TF-51D, registered N151SQ.

5 August 1993: CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk 22 "The Best Years Of Our Lives", F-AZIE (ex-A68-198), suffered an in-flight fire. The aircraft was badly damaged, but returned to the skies the following year. As of 2002, it flies as "Short Fuse Salle" (N286JB).

12 September 1994: North American P-51D-25-NA "Deja Vu" ("Race 56"), N51U (ex-44-74204), piloted by William A. Speer Jr., suffered a propeller failure and crashed during the Reno Air Races, killing Speer. The aircraft, which was also involved in the 21 August 1979 and 29 September 1990 crashes, is under restoration as of 2001.

2 July 1995: North American P-51D-25-NT "Sunny VIII", N51KF (ex-45-11371), piloted by George Krieger, stalled and crashed while formation flying with another P-51 at an airshow in Malone, New York, killing Krieger.

6 September 1997: North American TF-51D-20-NA "Little One III", N973 or N6345T (ex-44-63507), suffered an engine failure and crashed in Monroe, Michigan, resulting in two fatalities. This was the same aircraft that crashed in Brownwood, Texas, in 1968 Some sources claim that, at the time, it flew as "Double Trouble Two" (N51EA), however, this is in error as that aircraft is P-51D-20-NA ex-44-72483, which was previously restored using parts from ex-44-63507.

24 July 1998: A North American P-51D-20-NA, F-AZFI (ex-44-63788), lost control and crashed while performing aerobatics in La Roche-sur-Yon, France, killing both occupants. As of 2009, the aircraft is under restoration.

11 September 1998: A Cavalier Mustang, HB-RCW (ex-North American P-51D-25-NA 44-73027), fatally crashed in Gotthard Pass, Switzerland. This aircraft had previously crashed on 4 October 1980.

18 September 1999: North American/Rogers P-51R "Miss Ashley II" ("Race 38"), N57LR, broke apart in flight after the failure of its empennage during the Reno Air Races, killing pilot Gary Levitz. The aircraft was purpose-built by Bill Rogers specifically for air racing, featuring a P-51 fuselage and vertical stabilizer, newly-built from factory drawings provided by the Smithsonian Institution, the wings and tailplane of a Learjet, and a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine driving contra-rotating propellers.

2000s

19 September 2000: A Cavalier TF-51D Mustang II, N20TF (ex-67-14866), suffered an engine failure and was damaged in a forced landing in a field in Sugar Land, Texas. The aircraft was subsequently repaired, and as of 2010 flies as "Bum Steer" (N20TF).

6 September 2001: North American P-51D-25-NT "Glamorous Glen III", N551CB (ex-45-11381), suffered an engine failure and crashed in Lincolnton, North Carolina. Both occupants bailed out and parachuted to safety. The aircraft was the same as the one that crashed on 6 June 1981, and as of 2012 is in storage awaiting restoration.

20 February 2003: Cavalier Mustang "Scat VII", N93TF (ex-North American P-51D-25-NA 44-72922), piloted by Jim Shuttleworth, stalled and crashed near Urbana, Indiana, killing Shuttleworth. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and as of 2019 flies under the registration OO-RYL.

29 May 2004: North American P-51C-5-NT "Tuskegee Airmen", NL61429 (ex-42-103645), piloted by Don Hinz, suffered an engine failure and crashed near Bay City, Wisconsin, seriously injuring Hinz, who died in the hospital the next day. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and is airworthy as of 2017.

9 July 2005: North American P-51D-30-NA "Barbara Jean", N10607 (ex-44-74466), piloted by Harry Barr, suffered an engine failure on takeoff and crashed in Tarkio, Missouri, injuring Barr. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and is airworthy as of 2008.

26 July 2005: North American P-51D-30-NA "Donna-Mite", N6327T (ex-44-74417), piloted by Richard P. James, stalled and crashed during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, killing James.

15 July 2007: North American P-51D-20-NA "Lou IV", N51TK (ex-44-63350), piloted by John McKittrick, lost control and crashed inverted in Camarillo, California, killing McKittrick. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and is airworthy as of 2018.

27 July 2007: Two Mustangs, replica North American/Beck P-51A "Precious Metal II", N8082U, and North American P-51D-30-NA "Stang", N151RJ (ex-44-74404), collided while landing following a simulated air race during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Precious Metal II flipped over and impacted the ground inverted, killing its pilot, Gerard S. Beck. Stang nosed over, and its pilot, Casey Odegaard, survived the accident. As of 2010, Precious Metal II is under restoration while Stang has been repaired and is flying.

2010s

11 March 2010: Cavalier F-51D Mustang "Su Su", N151TH (ex-North American P-51D-25-NT 44-84850), piloted by Nazzi Hirani, lost control on landing and crashed in Chandler, Arizona, killing Hirani. As of 2015 the aircraft is under restoration.

10 July 2011: CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk 22 "Big Beautiful Doll", D-FBBD (ex-A68-192), collided in mid-air with Douglas A-1D Skyraider F-AZDP (ex-Bu. 124143) in Duxford, UK. Rob Davies, the pilot of the Mustang, bailed out, and his aircraft crashed in a nearby field. The pilot of the Skyraider managed to safely land the damaged aircraft, despite losing its right wingtip. This was the same aircraft as the one that crashed on 19 October 1973.

16 September 2011: Modified North American P-51D-15-NA "The Galloping Ghost" ("Race 177"), N79111 (ex-44-15651), piloted by James K. "Jimmy" Leeward, crashed into spectators at the Reno Air Races, killing Leeward and six people on the ground, and injuring 73 more (four of which later died in the hospital). The crash was caused by a structural failure with the left tailplane trim tab, as well as untested and undocumented modifications to the aircraft.

23 October 2013: North American P-51D-25-NA "Galveston Gal", N4151D (ex-44-73458), crashed in Halls Lake near Galveston, Texas, killing both occupants.

4 July 2014: North American P-51D-30-NA "Checkertail Clan", N1451D (ex-44-74446), piloted by John Earley, crashed shortly after takeoff in Durango, Colorado, killing Earley and his passenger, Michael Schlarb. The wreckage was reportedly owned by David Teeters in October 2017.

8 September 2015: World Jet P-51XR "Precious Metal" ("Race 38"), N6WJ, caught fire while taxiing days before the Reno Air Races. Pilot Thom Richard was able to shut down the engine and escape unharmed, but the aircraft burned for 12 minutes before firefighters arrived, and it took another 20 minutes to put out the flames. Following the accident, Richard announced that Precious Metal would not race again. As of 2017, the aircraft is still under restoration. This is the same aircraft that crashed during the 1988 Reno Air Races.

5 February 2016: North American P-51D "Big Beautiful Doll", N351BD, piloted by Jeffrey Pino, crashed in Maricopa, Arizona, killing Pino and his passenger, Nick Tramontano. The aircraft, assumed but not confirmed to be P-51D-20-NA ex-44-63634, the aircraft involved in the 21 April 1968 crash, is in storage awaiting restoration as of 2020.

2 October 2016: North American P-51D-25-NT "Janie", G-MSTG (ex-45-11518), piloted by Maurice Hammond, was caught in a crosswind during landing, crashed, and caught fire in Norfolk, UK. Hammond was seriously injured in the crash, while his passenger, John Marshall, was killed.

July 2017: North American P-51B-15-NA "Berlin Express", N5087F (ex-43-24837), suffered a canopy failure during a low pass at the Flying Legends airshow in Duxford, England. The tail surfaces also suffered damage.

July 2017: North American P-51D-25-NT "Miss Velma", G-TFSI (ex-44-84847), suffered an engine failure during the Flying Legends airshow and was forced to make a belly landing.

16 July 2017: North American P-51D-20-NA "Baby Duck", N251PW (ex-44-72086), piloted by Vlado Lenoch, crashed in Atchison County, Kansas, after taking off from Amelia Earhart Airport. Lenoch was killed, as was his passenger, airport manager Bethany Root.

17 November 2018: North American P-51D-30-NA "Pecos Bill", N4132A (ex-44-74445), piloted by Cowden Ward Jr., crashed into a parking lot in Fredericksburg, Texas, after apparent engine troubles, killing Ward and his passenger, WWII veteran Vincent Losada.

[1] The designation system for fighter aircraft was changed in September 1947 from "P" for pursuit to "F" for fighter. Depending on the aircraft, surplus aircraft are known by either designation.