Only Questions Remain from a T-28A Trojan's Final Flight

Examining the aftermath of a mysterious, fatal crash of a 1950s Air Force trainer.

Peter Garrison

Friday, September 07, 2018 at 06:00 PM ET

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A T-28A Trojan after a July 2017 crash. [Credit: NTSB]

Key Takeaways:

A T-28A pilot declared an intent to land at a different airport shortly after takeoff, implying engine issues but declining assistance from air traffic control.
The aircraft executed a gradual, controlled descent towards Moorhead Municipal Airport, with witnesses reporting engine distress, before crashing approximately half a mile short of the runway after striking a light pole.
The NTSB concluded a "controlled descent into terrain due to engine issues," but post-crash examination found no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would explain the pilot's actions or the perceived engine problems.

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The pilot, flying solo in a T-28A Trojan — a 1950s Air Force trainer with a gross weight of 8,500 pounds and a 1,425 hp radial engine — took off on a July afternoon from Runway 31 at Hector International (FAR) at Fargo, North Dakota. He was bound for Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, about 35 miles to the southeast. The T-28 turned to a left crosswind, climbed to 900 feet agl and accelerated to 160 knots.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board’s report, the pilot then told Fargo Departure Control that he was going to land at Moorhead Municipal (JKJ), which is about 9 miles southeast of FAR. Perhaps there was something in his tone of voice that suggested a problem; the controller asked whether he needed any assistance. The pilot replied, “I don’t think so.” After clearing him to land at JKJ, the controller again asked whether the pilot needed assistance, and this time he replied, “No.” The controller then told the pilot to squawk VFR and terminated radar service. The pilot did not acknowledge.