# Accident 20250706010889A: Hoots THORP T-18, Lake Elmo, MN, July 6, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 6, 2025, 11:00 local time
- Place: Lake Elmo, MN
- Airport: Lake Elmo
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.9944° N, 92.8541° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9944&lon=-92.8541&mi=10
- Aircraft: N18CH, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18CH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hoots THORP T-18 (registry code 8951049, https://openairdocs.org/model/hoots-thorp-t-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOOTS THORP T-18
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN25LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA246) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250706010889A

## Narrative

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

PIC DEPARTED THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AND RETURNED TO HIS HOME AIRPORT. PIC STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND HE WAS OFF TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND DECIDED TO EXECUTE A GO AROUND. THE PIC STATED THAT HE HEARD A THUD AND THAT HE BELIEVED HE HAD STRUCK SOMETHING. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED AN AIRPORT TAXIWAY SIGN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY LAYING ON ITS SIDE WITH DAMAGE TO THE UPPER SECTION OF THE SIGN CONSISTANT WITH A TAIL WHEEL STRIKING IT. THE PIC STATED THAT ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT HE LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AND LOST CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT, GOING THROUGH TALL GRASS BEFORE COMING TO A REST. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED DAMAGE TO THE AFT FUSELAGE, TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY, RUDDER PEDALS, AND RUDDER.

## 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 CEN25LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA246), Jul 6, 2025: Thorp T18 (N18CH), Lake Elmo, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the go-around, that resulted in the tailwheel impacting a taxiway sign, a subsequent loss of control due to the damaged tailwheel, and a…

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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