Grumman S-2B N5234A

Summary

On 3 May 2007 at about 18:30 local time, a Grumman S-2B registered N5234A was involved in an accident near Cherry Point, North Carolina, United States. 5 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 May 2007 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cherry Point, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Cherry Point McAs /Cunningham (NKT)

Coordinates

34.9008, -76.8806

Aircraft

Grumman S-2B

Registration

N5234A

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Franklin → Cherry Point

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC07LA107

3 people were seriously injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.