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NTSB Report
July 11, 1986 · Thorp T-18 · N2056
Richland, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Richland, WA
Aircraft
Thorp T-18
Tail Number
N2056
Operator
Donald a Mccune
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA86FA165
AT TIME OF MISHAP, ACFT PRESUMED TO BE IN RT-HAND APPROACH TO LAND IN 20-KT, 40 DEGREE RT CROSSWIND. WITNESSES FIRST OBSERVED ACFT DESCENDING VERTICALLY, OUT OF CONTROL, IN AN AREA CONSISTENT WITH THE 90 DEGREE APPROACH POSITION. EVIDENCE INDICATES ACFT CONTACTED SOFT, SANDY TERRAIN IN VERTICAL ATTITUDE, THEN FELL OVER TO UPRIGHT FLAT ATTITUDE BEFORE INTENSE POST-IMPACT FIRE INCINERATED MOST OF AIRFRAME. NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. SCENARIO INDICATIVE OF STEEP TURN TO CORRECT CROSSWIND-INDUCED CLOSE-IN PATTERN.
Full Narrative
AT TIME OF MISHAP, ACFT PRESUMED TO BE IN RT-HAND APPROACH TO LAND IN 20-KT, 40 DEGREE RT CROSSWIND. WITNESSES FIRST OBSERVED ACFT DESCENDING VERTICALLY, OUT OF CONTROL, IN AN AREA CONSISTENT WITH THE 90 DEGREE APPROACH POSITION. EVIDENCE INDICATES ACFT CONTACTED SOFT, SANDY TERRAIN IN VERTICAL ATTITUDE, THEN FELL OVER TO UPRIGHT FLAT ATTITUDE BEFORE INTENSE POST-IMPACT FIRE INCINERATED MOST OF AIRFRAME. NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. SCENARIO INDICATIVE OF STEEP TURN TO CORRECT CROSSWIND-INDUCED CLOSE-IN PATTERN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 PDT
Nearest AirportRichland, Wa (1nm ENE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftThorp T-18
Tail NumberN2056
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDonald a Mccune
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-GPO · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 20 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:45
Weather SourceWFAC