Accident Overview
On June 20, 2022, at approximately 1550 eastern daylight time, an experimental Hawker Hunter MK.58, registration N337AX, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the Atlantic Ocean about 40 miles southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a public use operation.
Sequence of Events
According to the operator, the airplane was performing an exercise with the US Navy when it experienced a partial loss of engine power at flight level 240. Engine rpm decreased and stabilized at about 5,000. The pilot estimated 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 from the airplane at 3,000 ft mean sea level. He was subsequently rescued by a nearby fishing vessel but suffered a serious back injury during the ejection.
Post-Accident Examination
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. This failure prevented the pump output pressure from increasing above 850 psi, whereas the operating range limit was between 1,900 and 2,200 psi.