# NTSB FTW92FAMS1: Grumman F9F-8T, N24WJ, Missing, October 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1991, 11:38 local (17:38 UTC)
- Place: Missing
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FAMS1
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FAMS1

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE 1960 MANUFACTURED MILITARY TRAINER WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 25,300 FEET TO ITS CRUISING ALTITUDE OF 29,000 FEET WHEN RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. A FOUR DAY AIR AND WATER SEARCH FAILED TO LOCATE THE AIRPLANE OR OCCUPANTS. THE PILOT HAD BEEN ISSUED A LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION TO FLY THE AIRPLANE IN VFR CONDITIONS ONLY. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED FOR IMC FLIGHT, BUT IT DID NOT HAVE WEATHER RADAR INSTALLED. CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY (VIP LEVEL ONE THUNDERSTORMS) EXISTED IN THE VICINITY OF THE LAST KNOWN POSITION AND OVERCAST SKIES PREVAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24WJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24WJ-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N A-20-60, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman F9F-8T
- Registry model: [World Jet Gruman COUGAR F-9-F8T](https://openairdocs.org/model/world-jet-gruman-cougar-f-9-f8t) (registry code 6250223) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney J42&J48 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-j42-j48-series) (registry code 52040, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A-20-60
- Engines: P&W J48-P-8A 7250 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: World Jet Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: BFD, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: TLH, TALLAHASSEE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,728 total, 1,400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 48 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19911031048859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911031048859A), Oct 31, 1991: Gruman F9F2PRYOR, Cameron, LA, 2 fatal. Became missing over gulf on ferry flight houston to jacksonville. Thunderstorms vicinity of disappearance.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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