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NTSB Report
March 28, 1987 · Thorp T-18 · N26CK
Riverside, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 28, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Riverside, CA
Aircraft
Thorp T-18
Tail Number
N26CK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87LA158
WHILE ON A FLT TO PRACTICE AEROBATICS, THE PLT WAS FLYING AT 3500' WHEN HE FELT A COLD LIQUID ON HIS RGT LEG & NOTED THE ODOR OF FUEL IN THE COCKPIT. MOMENTS LATER, FLAMES ERUPTED IN THE COCKPIT. THE PLT BAILED OUT & THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON THE SOUTHEAST SHORE OF LAKE MATHEWS. A POSTCRASH EXAM REVEALED MAJOR HEAT DAMAGE IN THE AREA NEAR THE PRIMER LINES. THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE PRIMER ASSEMBLY HAD LEAKED ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A FLT TO PRACTICE AEROBATICS, THE PLT WAS FLYING AT 3500' WHEN HE FELT A COLD LIQUID ON HIS RGT LEG & NOTED THE ODOR OF FUEL IN THE COCKPIT. MOMENTS LATER, FLAMES ERUPTED IN THE COCKPIT. THE PLT BAILED OUT & THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON THE SOUTHEAST SHORE OF LAKE MATHEWS. A POSTCRASH EXAM REVEALED MAJOR HEAT DAMAGE IN THE AREA NEAR THE PRIMER LINES. THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE PRIMER ASSEMBLY HAD LEAKED ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PST
Nearest AirportRiverside (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftThorp T-18
Tail NumberN26CK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 12 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time00:46
Weather SourceWFAC