North American SNJ-5 accident near Luray, Virginia, August 9, 1995
On August 9, 1995 at about 9:50 pm local time, a North American SNJ-5, registered N830JD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Luray, Virginia (Luray Caverns airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway during a precautionary landing. A factor was an undetermined lubricating system problem.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 1995 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Luray, Virginia · Luray Caverns · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American SNJ-5 · all SNJ-5s on the register
- Registration
- N830JD · registry record · serial 88-15761
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a pilot/witness, the pilot was in cruise flight, in formation with 6 other airplanes, when he reported over the radio that he had an unspecified oil problem. The pilot/witness had a hand held GPS, so he gave the pilot of the accident airplane magnetic bearing and distance to the nearest airport. The pilot/witness stated that the accident airplane started an immediate turn and descent for what appeared to be a straight-in to the runway. Witnesses reported that the airplane approached the runway with the landing gear and the flaps down. One witness stated that the pilot of the accident airplane flew approximately three quarters of the way down the runway before landing. The airplane rolled off the end of the runway and down an embankment. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction of the engine or it's systems, including the lubricating system. The pilot reported that he does not recall the accident flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,032 hours in all; 64 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 941 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,288 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 17, 1995; 61 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W R-1340 ANI (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EKN Elkins WV
- Destination: ADW Andrews Afb MD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 3,125 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,300 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:41 am from SHD, 31 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.