# Accident 20020925025039A: Amtr T18, Valley Center, CA, September 25, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 25, 2002, 13:00 local time
- Place: Valley Center, CA
- Airport: Blackinton Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.2583° N, 117.0833° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2583&lon=-117.0833&mi=10
- Aircraft: N60LW, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60LW-2003-10-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Whetzel Lawrence C THORPE T-18 (registry code 89510U6, https://openairdocs.org/model/whetzel-lawrence-c-thorpe-t-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR T18
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA296) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020925025039A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON, SEPTEMBER 25, 2002, ABOUT 1300 HOURS PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, AN EXPERIMENTAL WHETZEL THORPE T-18, N60LW, MADE A FORCED LANDING AT THE BLACKINTON PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR VALLEY CENTER, CALIFORNIA. THE PRIVATE PILOT/OWNER WAS OPERATING THE AIRPLANE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 91. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES; THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT DEPARTED THE RAMONA, CALIFORNIA, AIRPORT ABOUT 1240. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF A FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED. THE PRIMARY WRECKAGE WAS AT 33 DEGREES 15.5 MINUTES NORTH LATITUDE AND 117 DEGREES 05 MINUTES WEST LONGITUDE. THE AIRPLANE HAD EXITED THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED A DIRT HILL, SHEARING THE LANDING GEAR ALONG WITH THE PROPELLER. ACCORDING TO A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR, NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS. THE INPECTOR ALSO REPORTED THAT THE PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE WITH AN INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE. (-23) PILOT STATED HE EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS AND MADE A LANDING AT THE NEAREST AIRFIELD (BLACKINTON, A PRIVATE STRIP). UPON LANDING WITH FLAPS UP, HE FAILED TO STOP BEFORE CONTACTING THE HILL AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. NO SKID MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE RUNWAY, TO INDICATED EMERGENCY BRAKING ACTION. THE FUEL TANK GAGE DID NOT INDICATE AT ALL AND THE TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY. THE PILOT STATED THE INDICATOR DOES NOT WORK AND HE VISUALLY CHECKS BEFORE FLIGHT, BUT HE USES AUTO GAS WHICH HAS NO COLOR, SO HARD TO DETERMINE QUANTITY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX02LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA296), Sep 25, 2002: Whetzel Thorpe T-18 (N60LW), Valley Center, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation by not verifying the fuel supply, and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. A…

## Other reports on N60LW (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19980815029889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980815029889A), Aug 15, 1998: N60LW, Rantoul, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing at the Rantoul airport, Rantoul, IL, the appropriately certificated private pilot lost directional control of the aircraft while attempting…
- [Incident 19980507019899I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980507019899I), May 7, 1998: Amtrth THORPT18 (N60LW), Monongahela, PA, Minor damage. Blown off left side of runway. Prop struck landing light. Aircraft stopped in grass.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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