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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 20, 1987 · Thorp T-18 · N218HW

Bowling Green, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bowling Green, MO
Aircraft
Thorp T-18
Tail Number
N218HW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC87LA084

THE PIC RPTDLY ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE PIC LOST CONTROL AS ONE MAIN LANDING GEAR IMPACTED THE GROUND ABRUPTLY AND HIS HEAD HIT THE SIDE OF THE CANOPY. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY INTO TALL GRASS AND SOFT TERRAIN. THE PIC WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE ACFT BACK ONTO THE RWY AND EXECUTE A GO-AROUND. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED INTO A DITCH WHICH WAS OBSCURED BY THE TALL GRASS AND FLIPPED INVERTED.

Full Narrative

THE PIC RPTDLY ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE PIC LOST CONTROL AS ONE MAIN LANDING GEAR IMPACTED THE GROUND ABRUPTLY AND HIS HEAD HIT THE SIDE OF THE CANOPY. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY INTO TALL GRASS AND SOFT TERRAIN. THE PIC WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE ACFT BACK ONTO THE RWY AND EXECUTE A GO-AROUND. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED INTO A DITCH WHICH WAS OBSCURED BY THE TALL GRASS AND FLIPPED INVERTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 CDT
Nearest AirportBowling Green (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftThorp T-18
Tail NumberN218HW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data