Cause of Breakup NOT Yet Known

The tragic fatal accident that took the lives of a fine warbird flyer and a well-known sport aviation figure, last Sunday, now appears to have been the result of a wing failure, in-flight. The NTSB is giving the matter their full attention and components of the aircraft are now being evaluated to determine what broke the airplane up... with the most prevalent possibilities (statistically speaking) being overstress, corrosion, or fatigue.

Warbird Adventures' Thom Richard, whose operation has totaled up an impressive safety record over the course of a number of years of VERY active flying, is not making any guesses as to the cause of the breakup but did authorize ANN to quote him in saying that, "I wouldn't be pulling any heavy G's (in T-6/SNJ type aircraft), until we know more about the failure."

Richard was not aware that any T-6 or SNJ aircraft had ever experienced a legitimate inflight breakup, but thought that caution might be advised until more info was forthcoming. Because of the excellent safety record of this class of aircraft, heretofore, the FAA is reportedly not considering any emergency actions in regards to this airframe, and certainly not of the severity or immediacy imposed on the T-34 community.

Richard notes that the warbird community has been very supportive of his operation and their decision to voluntarily "stand-down" until they have more information as to the cause of the N453WA tragedy.

An official Warbird Adventures statement adds that, "We have received many kind words of condolence from people who have flown with us in the past. The warbird community is a tight knit family; we all know each other and care about each other. Our customers are our extended family that we have formed relationships with during our flights together. We are comforted by your concern and friendship during these difficult times.

In the accident that took place Monday, warbird Adventure's Instructor/Pilot Jon Hedgecock and Task Research's Jim Kern left Kissimmee Airport after 1600, on an instructional flight and went down only a few minutes later. The accident was not deemed survivable by law enforcement personnel at the scene.

Impact occurred near remote land in Lake Hamilton, FL, requiring emergency and rescue workers to bring in heavy equipment to clear a path to the accident. The accident was reported at 1630 local time, and was situated some two miles west of Fire Tower Road.

North American N453WA (shown below) was a SNJ-6 (first civ-registered in 1959) registered to warbird Adventures of Kissimmee, FL, carrying SN # 121-42823. It was powered by a P&W R1340 radial engine. Warbird Adventures is an active and highly regarded flight-seeing and flight-training operation that owns a number of SNJs, and a Bell 47 in full MASH Livery. The operation has an impeccable safety record and is located a short distance from the also-highly regarded Flying Tigers' Warbird Museum. While warbird Adventures did experience some aircraft damage during the recent spate of hurricane activity, N453WA was not one of the aircraft involved.

Services are planned for this weekend for Jon Hedgecock, a highly respected and experienced warbird jock... the memorial for Jon has been scheduled at warbird Adventures facility Sunday, May 15 at 1700. The public is welcome, but out of respect for the family members, WA asks those who are not affiliated with them or the warbird community, to understand that this is, otherwise, a private event.

FMI: www.warbirdadventures.com