Saturday, March 30, 2019

Thorp T-18, registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, N600HH: Accident occurred February 08, 2018 at Woodland Airstrip (MU89), Troy, Lincoln County, Missouri


The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; St. Louis, Missouri

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N600HH



Location: Troy, MO
Accident Number: CEN18LA095
Date & Time: 02/08/2018, 1152 CST
Registration: N600HH
Aircraft: HENDERSON THORP T 18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

During a personal flight, the private pilot reported that he made one pass over the runway, which was oriented east to west, and noted a crosswind from the southwest. During final approach, the pilot extended the flaps "one notch" to add "a little speed" to compensate for the crosswind. The pilot then looked down at the instrument panel to check the rate of descent; when he looked back outside, he saw a small tree limb near the airplane's right wing tip. The pilot made a left control input, but the right wing tip impacted the tree, and the airplane turned slightly to the right. The airplane impacted several other trees and then nosed down into the ground. The pilot reported no airplane mechanical malfunctions or failures.

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 adequate clearance from trees while landing in crosswind conditions.

Findings

Aircraft
Crosswind correction - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Incorrect action performance - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information 

On February 8, 2018, at 1152 central standard time, an amateur-built T-18 airplane, N600HH, collided with trees and terrain during landing at Woodland Airstrip (MU89), Troy, Missouri. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Creve Coeur Airport (1H0), St. Louis, Missouri, about 1030.

The plot reported that upon arrival at MU89 he made one pass over runway 27 and noted a crosswind from 230° at 10 to 20 knots. The pilot continued into the traffic pattern for a full stop landing on runway 27. During final approach while aligned to the left side of the runway and about 90 mph, the pilot extended the flaps "one notch." The pilot added that he wanted a little speed due to the crosswind on final. The pilot looked down at the instrument panel to check the rate of descent and when he looked back outside he saw a small tree tip near the airplane's right wing tip. He initiated a left control input, but the right wing tip collided with the tree and the airplane turned slightly right. The airplane continued into several trees and then nosed down into the ground. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions or failures.

The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed a postaccident examination of the airplane and accident site. There was evidence of broken tree limbs about 30 to 40 yards east of the main wreckage. The airplane came to rest next to a tree line in a nose low, vertical attitude (figure 1). Flight control continuity was confirmed and no preimpact anomalies were evident.


Figure 1 – Accident airplane 


History of Flight

Approach-VFR pattern final
Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 75, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/03/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: HENDERSON
Registration: N600HH
Model/Series: THORP T 18 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1974
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 600
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/10/2015, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1465 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 682 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:  C91  installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner: Mike & Linda Fleming
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: KFYG, 489 ft msl
Observation Time: 1155 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 175°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 5°C / -7°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.4 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ST LOUIS, MO (1H0)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: ST LOUIS, MO (1H0)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1030 CST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: WOODLAND AIRSTRIP (MU89)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 656 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1750 ft / 80 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 38.912222, -91.033333 (est)

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