Friday, September 07, 2018

Experimental S-18 Thorp, N575DG: Accident occurred September 01, 2018 at Porterville Municipal Airport (KPTV), Tulare County, California

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fresno, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N575DG

Location: Porterville, CA
Accident Number: GAA18CA523
Date & Time: 09/01/2018, 0910 PDT
Registration: N575DG
Aircraft: Eggleston Daniel S-18 THORP
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, he advanced the throttle to full power, maintained the runway centerline, and began to raise the tail. He added that, about 60 mph, the airplane suddenly turned left. He applied full right rudder to no avail. Subsequently, the airplane continued to veer left, exited the runway into plowed dirt, and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation system at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 3 knots. The pilot was departing from runway 30.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Rough terrain - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery
Runway excursion

Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 45, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/16/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/28/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 209 hours (Total, all aircraft), 12 hours (Total, this make and model), 160 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 18 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Eggleston Daniel
Registration: N575DG
Model/Series: S-18 THORP
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 218
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/21/2018, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  348.4 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-320-E2D
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPTV, 442 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1656 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 265°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  8 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Light and Variable /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 15°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Woodlake, CA (O42)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Porterville, CA (PTV)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0820 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: PORTERVILLE MUNI (PTV)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 443 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 30
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5960 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:  36.029444, -119.056389 (est)

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