On September 7, 2007, about 1226 eastern daylight time, a North American SNJ-2, N52033, was destroyed when it impacted terrain at Oceana Naval Air Station (NTU), Virginia Beach, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial demonstration flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

Several persons witnessed the accident, including a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and a Navy Air Operations Officer. They both provided written statements which depicted a similar series of events. The accident airplane was one of five airplanes participating in a formation aerial demonstration. For the final maneuver of the demonstration, each of the first four airplanes performed a "pop up break," while flying in a southwesterly direction, in order to return to land on runways 14R or 14L. The fifth airplane, however, continued straight ahead in a slight descent, and did not pull up or "break." The airplane continued in a constant descent, with the wings level and in a slight nose down attitude. The airplane impacted the ground and erupted in flames. Prior to impact, the engine appeared to be functioning, and no abnormal smoke was visible.

A portion of the accident was also captured on video by a local news station. A preliminary review of the video showed that five airplanes approached the view of the camera, traveling from right to left, with their smoke generators active. They then simultaneously turned off the smoke generators for a moment, before the first airplane again activated its smoke generator, and broke away from the formation in a climbing right turn. Three airplanes sequentially followed suit. The fifth airplane, identified as the accident airplane, activated its smoke generator, but continued straight and did not begin a climbing right turn. The airplane instead began a shallow, wings level descent before it disappeared from view behind an obstruction.

The wreckage was examined at the scene by FAA inspectors. According to the inspectors, the initial impact point was located about 1,200 feet beyond the departure end of runway 23R. The wreckage path was 360 feet long and oriented in a direction about 230 degrees magnetic. The area of the initial impact was marked by two ground scars oriented perpendicular to the wreckage path, and consistent in dimension with the airplane's propeller. A larger ground scar, about 12 feet wide and 20 feet long, was located just beyond the initial ground scars. Flattened areas of grass, consistent in dimension with the left and right wing, extended from the sides of the large ground scar, and continued through its length.

Various pieces of wreckage were distributed along the wreckage path, including both airframe and engine parts. Grass and brush located along and around the wreckage path, in addition to portions of the wreckage itself, was also burned. Both wings were located on their respective sides of the wreckage path, about 280 feet beyond the initial impact point. The main wreckage was located about 300 feet beyond the initial impact point, and was comprised of the fuselage, empennage, and engine. The fuselage was burned, and was oriented 050 degrees magnetic.

The propeller remained attached to the engine crankshaft. Both propeller blades exhibited twisting and leading edge gouging. Several cylinders of the radial engine exhibited signatures consistent with a postimpact contact with the propeller.

A preliminary review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on January 1, 2007, at 6,278 aircraft hours. On September 2, 2007, the accident airplane was involved in a ground collision with another airplane from the operator's fleet. More information about this accident can be found in Safety Board report NYC07LA209B. The airplane was repaired following the accident, which included replacing the propeller and an inspection of the engine in accordance with the manufacturer's procedures. The airplane was approved for return to service on September 3, 2007. As of that date, the airplane had accumulated 6,414 total hours of operation.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument airplane. The pilot's most recent FAA second class medical certificate was issued in November 2006, with the limitation "VALID FOR 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING THE MONTH EXAMINED." As of that date, the pilot reported 12,317 total hours of flight experience.

The weather conditions reported at NTU, at 1230, included winds from 110 degrees at 10 knots, 7 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 3,000 feet, temperature 81 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.23 inches of mercury.

NTSB Identification: NYC07LA219
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, September 07, 2007 in Virginia Beach, VA
Aircraft: North American SNJ-2, registration: N52033
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.