N140EM

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 18, 2016, about 0739 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Douglas TA-4K, Skyhawk turbo-jet airplane, N140EM, was destroyed when it collided with the ground following a loss of engine power shortly after entering the traffic pattern at Nellis Air Force Base (LSV), Las Vegas, Nevada. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Draken International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Defense as a public aircraft in support of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the airport and a military flight plan was filed for the simulated combat training flight. The local flight originated about 0620.

According to the pilot, he was the lead airplane of a flight of two aggressors, returning to LSV after completion of their Weapons School support flight in the Nevada Test and Tactics Range. The flight was uneventful until the formation break-up on initial, in the traffic pattern. The pilot led the formation to the overhead pattern for runway 21R, and shortly after the break to downwind, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot reported hearing a loud "thump," then noticed the engine's rpm decreasing, and heard the engine surging. During this time, the engine did not respond to throttle movements. The pilot at first initiated a turn towards the airport; however, he realized that he was unable to make the runway and consequently turned left towards a field. He selected manual fuel control and thought the engine might respond but the rpm continued to rapidly drop. Once assured that the airplane would impact in the field, the pilot initiated a successful ejection and sustained minor injuries. The airplane subsequently struck terrain and was consumed by fire, about 1 mile north of the approach end of runway 21R.

Witnesses reported observing the airplane on downwind, as being low and descending. Shortly thereafter, they observed the pilot eject and then the airplane descended rapidly towards the ground and upon impact, produced a large fireball outside the base perimeter.

A review of surveillance video shows the airplane flying wings level at a low altitude and descending. A few seconds later, the ejection sequence was initiated and two chutes (one from the unoccupied back seat) were observed deployed. A couple of seconds later, the airplane impacts terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument. He also held ratings for a flight instructor certificate in airplane single-engine and instrument. Additionally, he was type rated in the Boeing 737, and held an experimental airplane authorization for the Douglas Corporation A-4 Skyhawk.

The pilot was issued a first-class airman medical certificate on August 15, 2016, without limitations or waivers. The pilot reported that he had accumulated 8,076 total flight hours, 230 hours in the accident make and model airplane, and had flown 211 hours in the last 3 months. He also had previously flown the General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon airplane for the United States Air Force and logged about 5,200 hours in it. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe TA-4K Skyhawk was a swept-wing, two-seat jet airplane powered by a single Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet engine that was manufactured in 1970 by the Douglas Corporation and later upgraded by Draken International Inc. The airplane was developed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during the Vietnam war era.

Maintenance was accomplished by Draken International Inc. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the last continuous airworthy inspection was accomplished on July 29, 2016, at an airframe time of 6,850.2 hours. The engine had a total time of 3,211.5 hours, 428.7 hours since inspection, and 1,826.3 hours since overhaul.

The airplane utilized a single Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet engine that produced about 9,200 lbs of thrust. The J52 is a continuous flow, gas turbine engine which incorporates a split 12 stage, axial-flow compressor and 2 turbine stages. A 5-stage low-pressure compressor (LPC) is driven by a single-stage low pressure turbine (LPT) front compressor drive turbine rotor and a 7-stage high compressor (HPC) is driven by a single-stage high pressure turbine (HPT) rear compressor drive turbine rotor.

The accident airplane had an engine write-up on May 18, 2016, for a thrust deficiency while performing acrobatic maneuvers. The write-up stated that the engine seemed like it was not producing the correct amount of thrust. Military (MIL) power, also referred to as full-power or 100% power, would only indicate 98% power, with a noticeable humming noise, and the airplane became slow during acrobatics with the normal power settings. As a result, maintenance accomplished an engine run to 75% and all engine parameters checked good. The write-up also stated that maintenance would monitor the engine for any trends at 75% power or greater.

Fuel servicing records indicated that the accident airplane was fully refueled with 916 gallons on the morning of the accident. The fuel truck that serviced the airplane had a fuel sample tested after the accident, and the sample was within established standards. The airplane forms indicated 8,200 pounds of fuel was onboard, prior to the flight. According to the pilot, he confirmed that about 8,000 pounds of fuel was onboard the airplane during preflight. The pilot further stated that during the flight, the formation accomplished about 3 fuel checks in the area. According to the accident pilot's wingman, during the flight, after their area work was complete, a final battle damage assessment check with the lead airplane was accomplished, prior to returning to the LSV. The lead airplane reported 2,300 pounds of fuel and his status as the wingman was 1,800 pounds of fuel. Draken International Inc.'s operations procedures stated that the minimum fuel for the airplane was 800 pounds and emergency fuel was 500 pounds. Additionally, the fuel at initial or the final approach fix was 1,000 pounds.

The aircraft's flight manual lists the following procedures for a Low Altitude Loss of Thrust/Flameout:

Throttle – Check full forward.

Zoom climb.

If below 1,500 above ground level (agl) and 250 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) - Eject.

Throttle – Retard.

Fuel Control switch – Manual.

- If thrust is not regained immediately, proceed as follows:

RAT (Ram Air Turbine) – Deploy

Throttle - Ignition, then idle. (Monitor EGT for signs of relight).

External Stores – Jettison, if required.

Throttle – Cautiously advance.

Below 5,000 ft agl – Nil engine response, eject.

Above 5,000 ft agl – Airstart. (if time and altitude permit, establish 250 kts glide and commence airstart).

The TA-4K aircraft flight manual stated: ejection is mandatory "when an engine flameout occurs below 1,500 ft agl and 250 kias," except when unusual circumstances clearly dictate otherwise. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATIONA review of data from LSV, automated weather observation station revealed that at 0756 conditions were wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 11,000 ft, temperature 30°C, dew point 9°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.91 inches of mercury. AIRPORT INFORMATIONThe TA-4K Skyhawk was a swept-wing, two-seat jet airplane powered by a single Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet engine that was manufactured in 1970 by the Douglas Corporation and later upgraded by Draken International Inc. The airplane was developed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during the Vietnam war era.

Maintenance was accomplished by Draken International Inc. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the last continuous airworthy inspection was accomplished on July 29, 2016, at an airframe time of 6,850.2 hours. The engine had a total time of 3,211.5 hours, 428.7 hours since inspection, and 1,826.3 hours since overhaul.

The airplane utilized a single Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet engine that produced about 9,200 lbs of thrust. The J52 is a continuous flow, gas turbine engine which incorporates a split 12 stage, axial-flow compressor and 2 turbine stages. A 5-stage low-pressure compressor (LPC) is driven by a single-stage low pressure turbine (LPT) front compressor drive turbine rotor and a 7-stage high compressor (HPC) is driven by a single-stage high pressure turbine (HPT) rear compressor drive turbine rotor.

The accident airplane had an engine write-up on May 18, 2016, for a thrust deficiency while performing acrobatic maneuvers. The write-up stated that the engine seemed like it was not producing the correct amount of thrust. Military (MIL) power, also referred to as full-power or 100% power, would only indicate 98% power, with a noticeable humming noise, and the airplane became slow during acrobatics with the normal power settings. As a result, maintenance accomplished an engine run to 75% and all engine parameters checked good. The write-up also stated that maintenance would monitor the engine for any trends at 75% power or greater.

Fuel servicing records indicated that the accident airplane was fully refueled with 916 gallons on the morning of the accident. The fuel truck that serviced the airplane had a fuel sample tested after the accident, and the sample was within established standards. The airplane forms indicated 8,200 pounds of fuel was onboard, prior to the flight. According to the pilot, he confirmed that about 8,000 pounds of fuel was onboard the airplane during preflight. The pilot further stated that during the flight, the formation accomplished about 3 fuel checks in the area. According to the accident pilot's wingman, during the flight, after their area work was complete, a final battle damage assessment check wit...