The title reaction has been studied spectroscopically, using N(D-2) atoms (15-100 eV(lab)) generated by N+ + Xe charge transfer. At 5 eV(CM) the cross-section is similar to7 times greater than for the analogous N(S-4) reaction measured previously, due to an adiabatic pathway which exists only in the former case. Simulations of the NH(A(2)II-X(3)Sigma(-)) spectra show up to 4 eV(CM) equilibrated ro-vibrational distributions. This indicates an insertion-type reaction, consistent with ab initio calculations. At high energy, rotation and vibration become uncoupled and non-thermal, suggesting a two-body impulsive mechanism. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.