Saturday, August 24, 2019

Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Thorp T-18, N118RG; accident occurred March 14, 2018 in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Irving, Texas

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


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


http://registry.faa.gov/N118RG



Location: CLEBURNE, TX
Accident Number: CEN18LA124
Date & Time: 03/14/2018, 1600 CDT
Registration: N118RG
Aircraft: WHITE THORPE T 18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 14, 2018, about 1600 central daylight time, a White Thorpe T-18 airplane, N118RG, impacted a tree and terrain during a forced landing following an inflight loss of engine power near Cleburne, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged during the impact. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Blackwood Airpark, near Cleburne, Texas, at 1545.

According to the pilot's accident report, the flight departed to the north from the airport. The engine was running rough while he was flying northbound. The pilot started troubleshooting the roughness and decided to return to return to the airport. He stated, "I mistakenly landed in a pasture, short of the runway, with [the] plane coming to rest after hitting a tree." The pilot reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety Officer at the scene that the fuel line was not feeding through, and later reported to a Federal Aviation Inspector (FAA) that he believed he ran out of fuel. The FAA inspector examined the airplane at the scene. There was no evidence of fuel. The engine had been pulled away from the fuselage. Due to the extent of the damage, the fuel system and engine were not tested.

There was no record that an annual inspection of the airplane was conducted recently. The pilot reported the last annual inspection was on May 17, 2011. The pilot reported that he did not have a current flight review and did not know the date of his last medical certificate.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 79, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Unknown Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  780.9 hours (Total, all aircraft), 5.25 hours (Total, this make and model), 780.9 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 0.25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 0.25 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: WHITE
Registration: N118RG
Model/Series: THORPE T 18
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 001
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/17/2011, Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 70 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
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: KCPT, 854 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1635 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 214°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  9 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots / 12 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 100°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.17 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / -6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: CLEBURNE, TX (TX46)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: CLEBURNE, TX (TX46)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1545 CDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: BLACKWOOD AIRPARK (TX46)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 835 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing

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:  32.415556, -97.384167 (est)

1 comment:

  1. Fuel on board................... I forgot!
    Annual Conformity Inspection.... I forgot!
    Biannual Flight Review.......... I forgot!
    Medical Certificate..............I forgot!

    And let's not forget... Oh; I forgot that too!

    ReplyDelete