Accident Details
On May 9, 2019, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Hawker Siddeley Hunter MK-58, registration N343AX, was substantially damaged during a landing accident at Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) in Newport News, Virginia. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a public aircraft for an instructional flight.
Flight History
According to the operator's flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was initial training for the recently hired pilot. The instructor observed the flight from another MK-58 flying in formation with the accident airplane, providing verbal instructions. The mission briefing, preflight inspection, takeoff, and en route phases were unremarkable. The flight returned to PHF to practice touch-and-go landings.
After a touch-and-go landing, the right main landing gear indicated unsafe after retraction. Following consultation with the instructor, the pilot lowered the gear and observed a normal indication that all three landing gear were down and locked. While turning onto the downwind leg, the pilot noticed a hydraulic warning light. The instructor also observed fluid streaming from the right side of the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the pilot noted low hydraulic pressure, and the decision was made to conduct a no-flap landing, using the remaining hydraulic pressure to boost flight controls.
Upon touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot deployed the brake parachute but was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway before coming to a stop.
Examination Findings
A post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right main landing gear strut was broken into two parts. Further examination of the right main landing gear upper trunnion strut at the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory showed features consistent with a preexisting progressive crack on the main fitting fracture surface at the base of the aft pivot pin bore.