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NTSB Report
November 24, 1989 · Lanier Thorp T-18 · N18FL
Colorado City, CO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 24, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Colorado City, CO
Aircraft
Lanier Thorp T-18
Tail Number
N18FL
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN90DTE01
A WITNESS SAW THE PLT PREFLIGHT THE ACFT. AFTER HE TOOK OFF, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE CARBON FOULED. THE HOME BUILT ACFT HAD A TOTAL OF 40 HRS FLT TIME. THE ENG HAD A TOTAL TIME OF 42 HRS TSMO. THE OWNER/PLT HAD CHANGED THE CARBURETOR & SPARK PLUGS AFTER THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 6 HRS & THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 13 HRS SINCE THE LAST INSPN. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE WAS FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITH CARBON FOULING OF THE SPARK PLUGS, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.
Full Narrative
A WITNESS SAW THE PLT PREFLIGHT THE ACFT. AFTER HE TOOK OFF, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE CARBON FOULED. THE HOME BUILT ACFT HAD A TOTAL OF 40 HRS FLT TIME. THE ENG HAD A TOTAL TIME OF 42 HRS TSMO. THE OWNER/PLT HAD CHANGED THE CARBURETOR & SPARK PLUGS AFTER THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 6 HRS & THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 13 HRS SINCE THE LAST INSPN. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:54 MST
Nearest AirportGreenhorn Valley (1nm NW)
Runway26
Runway Length3900 ft
Runway Width36 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLanier Thorp T-18
Tail NumberN18FL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-G · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 3 kt
Visibility90 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 12 C
Altimeter26.00 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC