Hawker HUNTER N337AX

Summary

On 20 June 2022 at about 15:50 local time, a Hawker HUNTER registered N337AX, operated by Airborne Tactical Advantage Company, was involved in an accident near Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 June 2022 at 15:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

33.7697, -77.4889

Aircraft

Hawker HUNTER

Registration

N337AX

Category

Airplane

Year built

1959

Engines

1

Operator

Airborne Tactical Advantage Company

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Newport News → Cherry Point

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA22LA277

1 person was seriously injured.

A bearing failure in the high-pressure fuel pump, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The vintage military jet was being operated under an experimental certificate. The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power over an ocean at flight level 240. Specifically, the engine 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 at 3,000 ft mean sea level. The fuel system was examined at a maintenance facility after the wreckage was recovered from the ocean. The examination revealed that a bearing failed in the high-pressure fuel pump governor, which prevented pump output pressure from increasing above 850 pounds per square inch (psi); the operating range limit was between 1,900 to 2,200 psi.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.