Sunday, June 26, 2022

Hawker Hunter Mk 58, N337AX: Accident occurred June 20, 2022 in Wilmington, North Carolina

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greensboro, North Carolina

Airborne Tactical Advantage Company 

Hunter Aviation International Inc


Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Accident Number: ERA22LA277
Date and Time: June 20, 2022, 15:50 Local
Registration: N337AX
Aircraft: Hawker Aircraft Ltd Hawker Hunter
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Public aircraft

On June 20, 2022, about 1550 eastern daylight time, an experimental Hawker Hunter MK.58, N377AX, was substantially damaged when it impacted the Atlantic Ocean about 40 miles southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 public use flight.

According to the operator, while performing an exercise with the US Navy, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power at flight level 240. Specifically, the rpm reduced and stabilized to about 5,000. The pilot knew that 6,800 to 7,200 rpm would be required to maintain altitude and return to an airport. After two unsuccessful attempts to restore engine power, the pilot ejected from the airplane at 3,000 ft mean sea level. The pilot was subsequently rescued by a nearby fishing vessel; however, he suffered a serious back injury during the ejection.

Examination of the wreckage was pending its recovery.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Hawker Aircraft Ltd
Registration: N337AX
Model/Series: Hawker Hunter MK.58
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KILM,31 ft msl 
Observation Time: 15:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 41 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C /8°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Newport News, VA (PHF)
Destination: Cherry Point, NC (NKT)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 33.769722,-77.488889

Aircraft experienced engine failure and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

Date: 20-JUN-22
Time: 20:15:00Z
Regis#: N337AX
Aircraft Make: HAWKER
Aircraft Model: HUNTER
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: OTHER
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: WILMINGTON
State: NORTH CAROLINA

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