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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 9, 2019 · Hawker Siddeley Hunter MK58 · N343AX

Newport News, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Newport News, VA
Aircraft
Hawker Siddeley Hunter MK58 (1959)
Tail Number
N343AX
Operator
Airborne Tactical Advantage
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA19LA169

The pilot was conducting a training flight under the supervision of a flight instructor in a second airplane. Following a touch-and-go landing, the landing gear was retracted; however, the right main landing gear indicated unsafe. After consultation with the flight instructor, the pilot again attempted to lower the landing gear and then observed a normal indication that all three landing gear were down and locked into position. As the pilot turned onto the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he noticed a hydraulic warning light. The flight instructor also noticed fluid streaming from the right side of the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the pilot noted low hydraulic pressure and it was decided he would conduct a no-flap landing, utilizing the remaining hydraulic pressure to boost the flight controls. Immediately upon touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot was unable to control the airplane and it veered off the right side of the runway before stopping. The right main landing gear strut was broken in two parts. Examination of the broken right gear components revealed small crack features consistent with a preexisting progressive crack at the base of the aft pivot pin bore. It is likely that the preexisting fatigue crack in the landing gear propagated to the point of failure. The crack also likely became large enough for hydraulic fluid to leak following the touch-and-go landing and failed catastrophically when the airplane touched down during the final landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Main gear strut/axle/truck-Fatigue/wear/corrosion - C

Full Narrative

On May 9, 2019, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Hawker Siddeley Hunter MK-58, N343AX, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Newport News-Williamsburg International (PHF), Newport News, Virginia. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a public aircraft for the instructional flight. An operator’s flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was initial training for the recently hired pilot. The flight instructor observed the flight and provided the pilot verbal instructions from another MK-58, which he flew in formation with the accident airplane. The mission briefing, preflight inspection, takeoff, and en route phases of the flight were unremarkable. The flight then returned to PHF to practice touch-and-go landings. According to the pilot, following a touch-and -go landing, the right main landing gear indicated unsafe after retraction. After consultation with the flight instructor, the pilot again lowered the landing gear and then observed a normal indication that all three landing gear were down and locked into position. As the pilot turned onto the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he noticed a hydraulic warning light. The flight instructor also noticed fluid streaming from the right side of the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the pilot noted low hydraulic pressure and the decision was made to conduct a no-flap landing, utilizing the remaining hydraulic pressure to boost the flight controls. Immediately upon touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the pilot deployed the brake parachute. The pilot was unable to control the airplane and it veered off the right side of the runway and came to a complete stop. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right main landing gear strut was broken into two parts. The right main landing gear upper trunnion strut was examined at the National Transportation Safety Board NTSB) Materials Laboratory. Examination of the fracture surfaces revealed features consistent with a preexisting progressive crack on the main fitting fracture surface at the base of the aft pivot pin bore.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 EDT
Nearest AirportNewport News/Williamsburg Intl (0nm NW)
Runway25
Runway Length8003 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHawker Siddeley Hunter MK58
Tail NumberN343AX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAirborne Tactical Advantage
Engines1
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsAvon · 203/7 · Turbojet · 10150
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data