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NTSB Report
December 16, 1989 · Crawford-Gordon Thorp T-18 · N111GC
Austin, NV
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Austin, NV
Aircraft
Crawford-Gordon Thorp T-18
Tail Number
N111GC
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA90FA030
DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT MADE AN UNSCHEDULED LANDING AT AN AIRPORT TO CHECK ON A NOISE. SHORTLY AFTER LANDING, THE FLIGHT CONTINUED. RADAR RETURNS INDICATE THAT THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE AIRPORT ON A NORTHERLY HEADING AND CLIMBED TO 11,900 FEET THEN BEGAN TO DESCEND, TURNING WESTERLY AWAY FROM RISING TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH HILLY TERRAIN APRX 14 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. ONE PROPELLER BLADE HAD SEPARATED AND WAS NOT LOCATED. A METALLURGICAL TEST REVEALED THAT THE BREAK WAS DUE TO HIGH CYCLE BENDING STRESSES INDUCED BY RESONANT VIBRATION. RESEARCH OF THE AIRPLANE'S HISTORY REVEALED THAT ANOTHER ENGINE (DIFFERENT FROM WHICH THE AIRCRAFT WAS ORIGINALLY CERTIFICATED) HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE AND THAT THE PROPELLER (ORIGINAL FROM THE FIRST ENGINE) AT SOME TIME HAD BEEN CUT AND REPITCHED.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN IMPROPER MAJOR ALTERATION PERFORMED BY THE PILOT. AS A RESULT OF THIS MODIFICATION, THE PROPELLER FAILED IN FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT MADE AN UNSCHEDULED LANDING AT AN AIRPORT TO CHECK ON A NOISE. SHORTLY AFTER LANDING, THE FLIGHT CONTINUED. RADAR RETURNS INDICATE THAT THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE AIRPORT ON A NORTHERLY HEADING AND CLIMBED TO 11,900 FEET THEN BEGAN TO DESCEND, TURNING WESTERLY AWAY FROM RISING TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH HILLY TERRAIN APRX 14 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. ONE PROPELLER BLADE HAD SEPARATED AND WAS NOT LOCATED. A METALLURGICAL TEST REVEALED THAT THE BREAK WAS DUE TO HIGH CYCLE BENDING STRESSES INDUCED BY RESONANT VIBRATION. RESEARCH OF THE AIRPLANE'S HISTORY REVEALED THAT ANOTHER ENGINE (DIFFERENT FROM WHICH THE AIRCRAFT WAS ORIGINALLY CERTIFICATED) HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE AND THAT THE PROPELLER (ORIGINAL FROM THE FIRST ENGINE) AT SOME TIME HAD BEEN CUT AND REPITCHED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:56 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCrawford-Gordon Thorp T-18
Tail NumberN111GC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:51