On December 7, 2005, about 0930 Pacific standard time, a North American P-51D, N251BP, made a runway excursion at Minden-Tahoe Airport, Minden, Nevada. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Minden, Nevada, about 0900. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated the flight was uneventful prior to the accident. After touching down he lowered the tail and the airplane swerved. He overcorrected and the airplane went off the runway. The airplane bounced across the dirt next to the runway and came to rest on a taxiway. The pilot stated he was performing unfamiliar practice crosswind landing operations.