North American SNJ-2 accident near Wilkes-Barre, PA
On August 20, 2021, a North American SNJ-2 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wilkes-Barre, PA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 20, 2021
- Place
- Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Aircraft
- North American SNJ-2 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 41.343°N, 75.721°W
- NTSB ID
- 20210820103732
Official records · ERA21FA334
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Kavp Tower - Audio And Playback: Recording (MP4), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 20, 2021, about 1236 eastern standard time, a North American SNJ-2, N52900, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 air show flight. The accident airplane was operated as part of the Geico Skytypers Air Show Team, which was comprised of six North American SNJ-2 airplanes. The accident occurred during a practice flight for the Great Pocono Raceway Airshow. The flight was initiated with a formation takeoff, which consisted of three, two-airplane elements (sections) with each element taking off at 15-second intervals. The accident pilot was leading the 2nd element, and the accident airplane was the No. 3 airplane in the formation. All communications were conducted for the flight by the flight leader in the No. 1 airplane, using the call sign “SKYTYPE 1.” At 1234:43, ATC cleared SKYTYPE 1 for takeoff from Runway 4. At 12:35:45, SKYTYPE 1 reported that they would be rolling momentarily. At 1237:44, SKYTYPE 1 advised the tower controller that they were coming around to land on Runway 4. ATC acknowledged SKYTYPE 1 and advised them they were cleared to land on any runway. At 1238:03, SKYTYPE1 advised the controller that they had an aircraft down at the departure end of runway 4. According to the flight leader, after takeoff, about 100 feet above ground level, the No. 3 airplane made a left turn, the nose went down, and the airplane departed controlled flight. The smoke system then turned on, and the airp
Probable cause
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.
More accidents in PA
- Boeing B-737-300, Sep 8, 1994
- Boeing 757, Sep 11, 2001
- British Aerospace J-3101, May 21, 2000
- Bell UH-1N, May 29, 2008
- Beech A36, Jul 30, 1989
Browse: Pennsylvania · North American aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
