Mustang Prang 20 May 1947 ...

[Mark Allen M]

How did this happen? Lots of theories come to mind, but there's also a few observations that don't add up.
This could be the P-51D in the photo per AAIR according to the date.

AAIR: P-51D-30NA 44-74657 79th FS, 20th FG, Shaw Field, SC flown by David H Brown 20 May 1947.
https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src ... 947May.htm


Photo credit: Michael Scalingi

[Joe Scheil]

Stalled trying to three point, and dropped it in...HARD.

[Craig59]

Or possibly a bounced landing.

[Spitty]

Perfect 3 pointer...Nose,tail and rest of it

[Archer]

Large upwards force on the tail section, large upwards force on the prop, causing the engine mount to bend and the gearbox/prop to depart. Partially folded main gear with what appears to be wing tip damage as well. I'd say the mother of all bounces, with the aircraft hitting the ground both in a nose down attitude (most likely right wing low) and later (or before) also in a nose up attitude.

Correction, Spitty called it first!

[martin_sam_2000]

I would guess something that put it up onto it nose at speed (bounce, hard braking, pothole) and then at full stop, the tail fell back down causing the tail damage.

Sean

[Mark Allen M]

No markings ... interesting!

[airnutz]

Stalled straddling a "bar ditch" and with a mighty bounce you see her as they found 'er. The pilot still attends unit reunions, a l'il fella 92 years old and 3-foot tall he stands out in a crowd.

[Mark Allen M]

Stalled straddling a "bar ditch" and with a mighty bounce you see her as they found 'er. The pilot still attends unit reunions, a l'il fella 92 years old and 3-foot tall he stands out in a crowd.

Yah! ya had me until the 3-foot tall part.

[bdk]

Perhaps the result of a porpoised landing?