Hawker HUNTER accident near Wilmington, North Carolina, June 20, 2022
On June 20, 2022 at about 3:50 pm local time, a 1959 Hawker HUNTER, registered N337AX, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Wilmington, North Carolina. It was a public-use flight under public-use (government) rules. 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A bearing failure in the high-pressure fuel pump, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 2022 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- Wilmington, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hawker HUNTER Mk.58, built 1959
- Registration
- N337AX · no longer on the register · serial 41H-697456
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The vintage military jet was being operated under an experimental certificate. The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power over an ocean at flight level 240. Specifically, the engine rpm reduced and stabilized to about 5,000. The pilot knew that 6,800 to 7,200 rpm would be required to maintain altitude and return to an airport. After two unsuccessful attempts to restore engine power, the pilot ejected at 3,000 ft mean sea level. The fuel system was examined at a maintenance facility after the wreckage was recovered from the ocean. The examination revealed that a bearing failed in the high-pressure fuel pump governor, which prevented pump output pressure from increasing above 850 pounds per square inch (psi); the operating range limit was between 1,900 to 2,200 psi.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise)
- Miscellaneous/other during emergency descent
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel pumps › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,865 hours in all; 486 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 4,620 as pilot in command; 2,300 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 19, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,165 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, January 13, 2022; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 25,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Avon 203/7 (turbojet); 10,150 hours total
- Operator: Airborne Tactical Advantage Company
The flight
- Departed from: PHF Newport News VA at 6:26 pm
- Destination: NKT Cherry Point NC
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KILM, 41 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KILM 201953Z VRB04KT 10SM CLR 31/08 A3019
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 8, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for the Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Video Explaining High Pressure Fuel Pump Governor Bearing Failure - Courtesy Lortie Aviation (Mov, 2 Min 33 Sec, 164MB) | MOV file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.