# NTSB SEA06FA142: Hawker Siddeley MK-58A Hunter, N58MX, Hillsboro, OR, July 16, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2006, 16:28 local (23:28 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, OR - Coordinates: 45.540279, -122.949722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5403&lon=-122.9497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO, FAA - FSDO, Rolls-Royce - NTSB case key (mKey): 64122 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06FA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64122/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=64122 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06FA142 ## Probable cause Loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons during the takeoff sequence. ## Analysis The accident occurred during an air show event. The airplane was a static display at the air show and, with the exception of the accident flight, the airplane did not fly during the show. Event coordinators reported that the pilot planned to make three non-aerobatic low passes over runway 30, and subsequent to completion of the maneuvers, he intended to continue the flight to his home airport in Southern California. Several eyewitnesses, both in attendance at the show, and others located in the residential community where the airplane crashed reported that following the takeoff, the airplane entered a right downwind for runway 30. One witness, who was located near midfield, reported that the pilot's takeoff was "conservative" and the engine sounded "normal." A second witness, also located near midfield, reported that the takeoff was "consistent" with what you would expect from a vintage jet. Another witness reported that the airplane appeared to "wallow" nose high before it descended beyond his vantage point behind a tree line. The witnesses observed heavy black smoke in the area shortly after the airplane descended below the tree line. Numerous witnesses reported similar observations. FAA inspectors reported that the airplane impacted terrain in a residential neighborhood near the departure airport. One home was destroyed and two others were damaged by the post crash fire. Impact forces and post impact fire destroyed a majority of the airframe and associated components. The airframe, to include cockpit controls, instrumentation and flight controls, were destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire. Extensive thermal and impact related deformation was noted to the entire engine assembly and associated accessories. The forward air intake casing and forward section of the compressor casing were completely destroyed. The turbine assembly, to include the rotor blades and stators, were intact and with the exception of the surrounding case, sustained minimal damage. Silver/gray colored splatter type deposits were noted along the leading edges, pressure surface and shrouds of the turbine airfoils. Examination of the material, utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM), indicated the silver/gray material was mostly composed of aluminum alloy. No evidence of pre impact case deformation was noted during the engine exam. No open maintenance discrepancies were noted during a post accident review of the airplane's maintenance records. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 16, 2006, at 1628 Pacific daylight time, an experimental/exhibition Hawker-Siddeley, MK-58A Hunter, N58MX, was destroyed after colliding with terrain while maneuvering at an air show approximately 0.5 miles east of the Portland-Hillsboro Airport (HIO), Hillsboro, Oregon. The commercial pilot, the registered owner and operator of the airplane, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane departed from the Portland-Hillsboro Airport at about 1627. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was on file for the pilot's return flight to Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California. The accident occurred during the Oregon International Air Show. Event coordinators reported that the pilot planned to make 3 non-aerobatic low passes over the runway after departing from runway 30. Subsequent to completing the maneuvers, the pilot intended to continue the flight to his home airport in Van Nuys, California. The airplane was a static display at the air show and, with the exception of the accident flight, the airplane did not fly during the event. Several eyewitnesses, both in attendance at the show, and others located in the residential community where the airplane crashed, submitted written statements to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) detailing their observations during the accident sequence. One witness, who was located near midfield, reported that the pilot's takeoff was "conservative" and the engine sounded "normal." A second witness, also located near midfield, reported that the takeoff was "consistent" with what you would expect from a vintage jet. Both witnesses reported that following the takeoff; the airplane entered a right downwind for runway 30. The first witness reported that the airplane was "lower and slower" than what he would have expected. He also reported that the gear appeared to be in the "extended" position. The witness reported that the airplane appeared to "wallow" nose high before it descended beyond his vantage point behind a tree line. The witnesses observed heavy black smoke in the area shortly after the airplane descended below the tree line. Numerous witnesses reported similar observations. A video recording (recorded by a spectator) of the accident airplane's takeoff roll and initial climb was obtained by NTSB and reviewed by both the investigator-in-charge (IIC) and parties to the investigation. A small piece of unidentified debris could be seen flying through the air in the general vicinity of the airplane during the departure roll. The origin or type of debris was not determined. Further viewing of the video recording showed that the airplane oscillated left and right (about the longitudinal axis) immediately after takeoff. The oscillations continued as the airplane turned to the crosswind leg. The video ended approximately 7 seconds after liftoff. No visible smoke or uncharacteristic exhaust emissions were observed in the video. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were clear skies, 10 miles visibility, winds variable at 6 knots, temperature 86 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point temperature 54 degrees F, and an altimeter of 30.11 inches. The density altitude was calculated at 1,861 feet. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument ratings. The pilot also held FAA authorizations to operate, and provide flight instruction in, a Hawker-Siddeley Hunter. The pilot held a FAA special issuance third class medical certificate. The certificate was issued on April 21, 2006, and contained a limitation that required the pilot to wear corrective lenses. On the application for the airman medical certificate (Form 8500-8), the pilot listed 4,500 hours total flight time, of which 25 hours were accrued during the six months preceding the medical application. Pilot logbook records indicated the pilot completed a Flight Review (FAR 61.56) on January 29, 2005, in a Cessna 172. Hand written notes in the logbook indicated that the pilot's total flying experience in the accident airplane (make and model) was approximately 161 hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The accident airplane, a MK-58A Hunter (s/n XE-49), was manufactured by Hawker-Siddeley in 1958-1959. The airplane was originally designed as a single engine, swept-wing, tactical military aircraft, powered by a Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engine and equipped with a full functioning emergency ejection seat. The airplane was an asset of the Swiss Air Force from the date of manufacture through 1995, after which it was retired from military service. The airplane was imported to the United States in 1995 and, at the time of the accident, carried an experimental category airworthiness certificate. The airworthiness certificate was issued on April 15, 2003, by the Boise, Idaho, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). In addition to the internal fuel tanks (approximate capacity of 392 gallons), the airplane was equipped with four (two inboard and two outboard) external drop tanks. The capacity of the inboard drop tanks was approximately 150 gallons each; the capacity of the outboard fuel tanks was approximately 100 gallons each. Fueling records obtained by the NTSB IIC indicated that the airplane was topped off with 588.6 gallons of Jet A fuel on July 16, 2006. Engine maintenance records began on February 10, 1998, and documented the start of an FAA approved maintenance program. A corresponding logbook entry showed that the engine total time was 1,359 hours. The airframe maintenance records began on February 10, 1998, and documented the start of an FAA approved maintenance program. A corresponding logbook entry showed that the airframe total time was 2,816 hours. The maintenance records showed that the most recent airframe and engine inspection, in accordance with the approved inspection program, was completed on March 4, 2006. The airframe total time at inspection was 2,907 hours. No open maintenance discrepancies were noted during a post accident review of the airplane's maintenance records. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Inspectors from the FAA's Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), conducted the onsite investigation. The inspectors were in attendance at the air show, and arrived at the accident site immediately after the accident. The inspectors reported that the airplane impacted terrain in a residential neighborhood approximately .5 miles from the airport. One home was destroyed and two others were damaged by the post crash fire. Impact forces and post impact fire destroyed a majority of the airframe and associated components. The engine came to rest approximately 14 feet south of the main wreckage and a section of the aircraft's tail was located approximately 40 feet southeast of the primary impact location. Both sustained fire and impact related damage. The wreckage debris field, as measured by FAA personnel, was approximately 150 feet in length and 65 feet wide. At the conclusion of the onsite investigation, the wreckage was transported to a storage facility in Independence, Oregon. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Office of The State Medical Examiner, Clackamas, Oregon, conducted a postmortem examination of the pilot on July 17, 2006. According to the postmortem report, the pilot's cause of death was attributed to "head and chest injuries." The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted a toxicological examination subsequent to the accident. The postmortem toxicology testing yielded negative results for controlled substances and alcohol. See attached toxicological report for specific te ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58MX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58MX-2011-02-22), registration cancelled 2011-02-22, S/N XE 49, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hawker Siddeley MK-58A Hunter - Registry model: [Hawker-Siddeley HUNTER MK 58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hawker-siddeley-hunter-mk-58a) (registry code 4230309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: XE-49 - Airframe hours: 2909 - Engines: Rolls-Royce Avon MK 207 10150 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert E. Guilford - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, March 1, 2006 - Departed: HIO, Hillsboro, OR - Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: HIO, Portland-Hillsboro, runway 30, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2005; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,500 total, 161 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KHIO, 1 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 20060716014929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060716014929A), Jul 16, 2006: Hawker HUNTERMK58A, Portland, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) The aircraft departed rwy 30 intending to perform 3 closed traffic fly-bys over rwy 30 then depart the area enroute to vny. The aircraft used… ## Docket (38 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 11, 2007, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=64122. 37.1 MB in all. - Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Avon Airfoils Report (item 2, .PDF, 774 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Avon%20Airfoils%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 5, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Image 1. Engine with main wreckage. (item 6, .PDF, 741 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%201.%20%20Engine%20with%20main%20wreckage.-Master.PDF - Image 2. Engine with main wreckage. (item 7, .PDF, 751 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%202.%20%20Engine%20with%20main%20wreckage.-Master.PDF - Image 3. Airframe components/main wreckage. (item 8, .PDF, 755 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283561&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%203.%20%20Airframe%20components%2Fmain%20wreckage.-Master.PDF - Image 4. Airframe components/main wreckage. (item 9, .PDF, 750 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%204.%20%20%20Airframe%20components%2Fmain%20wreckage.-Master.PDF - Image 5. Engine cowling and miscellaneous wreckage. (item 10, .PDF, 768 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%205.%20%20Engine%20cowling%20and%20miscellaneous%20wreckage.-Master.PDF - Image 6. Engine and burn area. (item 11, .PDF, 751 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%206.%20%20Engine%20and%20burn%20area.-Master.PDF - Image 7. Engine and burn area. (item 12, .PDF, 742 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%207.%20%20Engine%20and%20burn%20area.-Master.PDF - Image 8. Burn area surrounding wreckage. (item 13, .PDF, 746 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%208.%20%20Burn%20area%20surrounding%20wreckage.-Master.PDF - Image 9. Accident airplane during takeoff roll. (item 14, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283567&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%209.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20during%20takeoff%20roll.-Master.PDF - Image 10. Accident airplane during takeoff roll. (item 15, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2010.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20during%20takeoff%20roll.-Master.PDF - Image 11. Accident airplane during takeoff roll. (item 16, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2011.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20during%20takeoff%20roll.-Master.PDF - Image 12. Accident airplane during takeoff roll. (item 17, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2012.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20during%20takeoff%20roll.-Master.PDF - Image 13. Accident airplane during takeoff roll. (item 18, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2013.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20during%20takeoff%20roll.-Master.PDF - Image 14. Accident airplane during takeoff roll. (item 19, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283588&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2014.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20during%20takeoff%20roll.-Master.PDF - Image 15. Accident airplane during takeoff roll. (item 20, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283589&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2015.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20during%20takeoff%20roll.-Master.PDF - Image 16. Accident airplane during takeoff roll. (item 21, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283595&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2016.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20during%20takeoff%20roll.-Master.PDF - Image 17. Fire during initial emergency services response. (item 22, .PDF, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2017.%20%20Fire%20during%20initial%20emergency%20services%20response.-Master.PDF - Image 18. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 23, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2018.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 19. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 24, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2019.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 20. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 25, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2020.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 21. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 26, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283825&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2021.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 22. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 27, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2022.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 23. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 28, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283827&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2023.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 24. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 29, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283828&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2024.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 25. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 30, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283829&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2025.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 26. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 31, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283830&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2026.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 27. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 32, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283831&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2027.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 28. Accident airplane just prior to impact. (item 33, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2028.%20%20Accident%20airplane%20just%20prior%20to%20impact.-Master.PDF - Image 29. Engine - power recovery exam. (item 34, .PDF, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2029.%20%20Engine%20-%20power%20recovery%20exam.-Master.PDF - Image 30. Engine - power recovery exam. (item 35, .PDF, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2030.%20%20Engine%20-%20power%20recovery%20exam.-Master.PDF - Image 31. Engine - power recovery exam. (item 36, .PDF, 417 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2031.%20%20Engine%20-%20power%20recovery%20exam.-Master.PDF - Image 32. Engine - power recovery exam. (item 37, .PDF, 392 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%2032.%20%20Engine%20-%20power%20recovery%20exam.-Master.PDF - NTSB - Hawker I, II, and III DVDs: Amateur video of accident aircraft. Provided by witness Shawn Adams. DVDs can be obtained from the NTSB Records Management Division, CIO-40. (item 38, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20-%20Hawker%20I,%20II,%20and%20III%20DVDs%3A%20Amateur%20video%20of%20accident%20aircraft.%20%20Provided%20by%20witness%20Shawn%20Adams.%20%20DVDs%20can%20be%20obtained%20from%20the%20NTSB%20Records%20Management%20Division,%20CIO-40.-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.