20210820014659A

N52900 is a North American aviation SNJ-2 single (radial piston) engine conventional retractable gear aircraft manufactured in 1943.

On 8/20/2021 the aircraft took off as ship number 3 (lead of second element) in a flight of 6 to perform (or practice performing) aerial skywriting in connection with nearby airshow performances scheduled for 8/21/2021 and 8/22/2021. The aircraft departed runway 04 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (kavp) at 1236 local time (1636Z).

Video evidence shows the subject aircraft and ship number 4 accelerating and lifting off side by side, subject aircraft on the left side of the runway and number 4 on the right. At approximately 150 feet subject aircraft apparently suffers some loss of engine power, as evinced by an apparent speed decrease relative to ship 4, video evidence suggesting a change in propeller RPM, and video evidence containing audio of popping or banging noises from the subject aircraft.

Statements from other pilots monitoring the company frequency state that the pilot of the subject aircraft communicated that he had a problem and was turning back or returning to the airport. Evidence to corroborate the pilot?s exact statement has not been located.

The apparent loss of engine power in the subject aircraft is followed, according to video evidence, by the aircraft beginning a left turn. Video evidence shows the bank angle of the turn increasing smoothly to approximately vertical and transitioning to a dive accompanied by a rapid decent terminating in impact with the ground

The aircraft impacted left wing and nose first at the western edge of taxiway b between B5 and B6 approximately 440 feet from the runway centerline, moving on a course of approximately 290. Ground scar and video evidence suggests that at initial impact the aircraft was oriented approximately 180 degrees from runway heading and nearly vertical. The scratches from the left wing in taxiway b are oriented approximately perpendicular to the runway. After initial impact the left wing separated and the aircraft pivoted approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise and was almost immediately engulfed in flames. Video evidence shows airport crash fire rescue arrived and began fighting the fire 99 seconds after impact.

The main wreckage, consisting of the right wing, wing center section, cockpit area, and engine came to rest approximately 25 feet from the western edge of taxiway b oriented in a 120 degree heading. The empennage broke away on impact and was separated from the main wreckage by approximately 10 feet and a berm. The cockpit/fuselage assembly broke away from the wing assembly on impact and was found on top of the wing assembly displaced laterally approximately 5 feet to the right of aircraft centerline, and rotated approximately 45 degrees right from vertical. The engine mounts were broken from the airframe by impact forces; the engine was found displaced approximately 10 feet from centerline and rotated approximately 90 degrees right and 70 degrees nose down. The left wing and aileron were located downhill and North of the main wreckage.

The engine, complete propeller, and all control surfaces were located at the crash scene. All engine control and flight control systems were damaged or severed by impact forces, but no evidence of pre impact anomalies in engine or flight control systems was noted.

The pilot was the sole occupant and received fatal injuries.

An estimated weight and balance for the flight was computed based on last weighing, estimated pilot and parachute weight, and owner report of standard fuel and smoke oil loads; and found the aircraft to be operating below gross weight and inside CG as specified in tcds A-2-575.