Vintage Hunter Crashed On Departure From 2006 Oregon Air Show

Videotape footage of the departure of a vintage Hawker-Siddeley MK-58A Hunter from a 2006 Oregon air show is receiving new scrutiny, as investigators attempt to determine whether a piece of debris seen near the jet is related to the subsequent crash of the aircraft.

As ANN reported, Los Angeles attorney Robert Guilford was killed when his 1951 Hunter went down after takeoff from Hillsboro Airport in Portland, OR. The jet, which was on static display throughout the 2006 Oregon International Air Show, impacted two homes in a nearby neighborhood.

According to the NTSB Factual Report on the accident, a witness taping the Hunter's departure from Runway 30 captured something unusual about what others described as a routine takeoff for a vintage jet.

"A small piece of unidentified debris could be seen flying through the air in the general vicinity of the airplane during the departure roll," the report states. "The origin or type of debris was not determined.

"Further viewing of the video recording showed that the airplane oscillated left and right (about the longitudinal axis) immediately after takeoff. The oscillations continued as the airplane turned to the crosswind leg," the report adds. "The video ended approximately 7 seconds after liftoff. No visible smoke or uncharacteristic exhaust emissions were observed in the video."

Another witness told investigators the aircraft was "lower and slower" than what he would have expected as it turned to a right downwind to Runway 30, also noting the landing gear appeared to be in the "extended" position.

"The witness reported that the airplane appeared to "wallow" nose high before it descended beyond his vantage point behind a tree line," the report says. "The witnesses observed heavy black smoke in the area shortly after the airplane descended below the tree line. Numerous witnesses reported similar observations."

Guilford (shown at right) had planned to make three low passes over the runway, before departing for Los Angeles.

The NTSB's Factual Report precedes the issuance of the Board's Probable Cause report, which will likely be released in 30 to 60 days, NTSB investigator Dennis Hogensen told The Oregonian.

FMI: Read The Factual Report