Warbird Information Exchange

NTSB Identification: ATL05FA079
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, May 09, 2005 in Kissimmee, FL
Aircraft: North American SNJ-6, registration: N453WA
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 9, 2005, at 1620 eastern daylight time, a North American SNJ-6, N453WA, registered to and operated by Warbird Adventures Incorporated, broke up in-flight while performing aerobatics near Kissimmee Gateway Airport, Kissimmee, Florida. The introductory flight lesson was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor and the commercial rated pilot (dual student) were fatally injured. The flight departed Kissimmee Gateway Airport, Kissimmee, Florida on May 9, 2005 at 1600.

According to the chief pilot the purpose of the 30-minute introductory flight was to familiarize the dual student with the airplane. The certified flight instructor demonstrated various flight and aerobatic maneuvers. Witnesses on ground reported seeing the airplane conducting a series of aerobatic maneuvers when the right wing separated from the airplane. The airplane then entered a spin, descended rapidly and collided with ground.

Examination of the accident site revealed, the airplane rested in a dense wooded area 19.2 nautical miles on the 195 degree radial from the Kissimmee Gateway Airport, Kissimmee, Florida. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine, propellers, main fuselage, left wing assembly, vertical and horizontal stabilizers were located in a crater 10-foot in diameter and 6-feet in depth. The right wing assembly was located 0.13 nautical miles on a 354-degree heading from the main wreckage site. The right aileron was also located approximately 0.13 nautical miles on a 048-degree heading from the main wreckage site. The odor of fuel was present at the wreckage site. The engine assembly was located at the base of the crater with the propellers still attached at the hub. The propellers displayed chord-wise scoring, and the blades were bent aft.

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Eric

"I spent most of my money on alcohol, women and skyraiders....and the rest of it I just wasted."

Sometimes the NTSB just makes you shake your head. "substantially damaged" ??? what??? After being found in a crater ten by 6 feet deep?

John

Sure would like to know at the location on the wing where it failed!
Robbie

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Fly Fast Make Noise!

I would like to know if the aileron was still attached to the failed wing. I know a lot of people are very interested to hear the facts as to what happened. Hope we get word soon.

Not being very familiar with NTSB reports, are "post mortem" photos of the damaged aircraft made available? It seems almost unbelievable that a T-6 wing would separate at any point... has this even been documented before?

Lynn

Lynn, it's not common. There is a corrosion AD on the T-6/SNJ/Harvard aircraft. If somebody was careless about checking that corrosion, it could happen. The best thing to do is wait until the NTSB finds the conclusion.

It would appear that it was not. From the report above:

>>The right wing assembly was located 0.13 nautical miles on a 354-degree heading from the main wreckage site. The right aileron was also located approximately 0.13 nautical miles on a 048-degree heading from the main wreckage site.<<

The investigation is still being conducted on the crash. It has affected us in so many ways and will continue to do so for a very long time. I know everyone wants to know what happened since this effects many of us here. The initial findings will be out very soon and released publicly; hopefully in a week or two.
This is not similar to what happened to the T-34s, but there is a possible problem. What is most important now is to do what is neccesary to keep these planes in the air. If an AD is issued and you have to spend money on your plane, try not to be pissed about it. I lost my friend because of this.

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Live to fly, Fly to live.....

On the KP forum, the possibility of using defective assembly bolts for the wings was considered by one member.

On the KP forum, the possibility of using defective assembly bolts for the wings was considered by one member.