Grumman S-2B accident near Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 3, 2007
On May 3, 2007 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Grumman S-2B, registered N5234A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cherry Point, North Carolina (Cherry Point Mcas /Cunningham airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flightcrew's failure to comply with the published emergency procedure following a loss of engine power on the right engine. Contributing to the accident was the failure of a magneto in the right engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 2007 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cherry Point, North Carolina · Cherry Point Mcas /Cunningham · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman S-2B · all S-2Bs on the register
- Registration
- N5234A · no longer on the register · serial 136404
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The retired military airplane was on an approximate 3-mile final approach to the runway when it experienced a loss of power in the right engine. The crew chief entered the cockpit and pushed the power levers forward when the pilot flying (PF) called for full power. The flightcrew did not comply with the memory items, nor did they comply with the "challenge and reply items" on the airplane's checklist, but instead, the pilot not flying (PNF) feathered the propeller on the left (operating) engine based solely on the PF's comment that he was holding right rudder. When the PNF perceived the left engine slowing down, but no reduction in drag, he un-feathered the left propeller. During the subsequent descent, the airplane struck power lines, trees, terrain, and was destroyed in a postcrash fire ignited by the downed power lines. Examination of the wreckage revealed heavy gauge wire wrapped around the left propeller, with signatures consistent with operation at impact. Examination of the right engine revealed a seized, inoperative dual magneto.
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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 13,445 hours in all; 46 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 12,535 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,186 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 5,629 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,962 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, March 1, 2007; 38 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 26,000 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Curtis Wright R1820-82B (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Curtis Wright R1820-82B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: FKN Franklin VA at 5:42 pm
- Destination: NKT Cherry Point NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 05R, 8,188 ft by 196 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 6:17 pm from NKT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.