# NTSB ATL04CA180: Wood/Thorpe T-18, N49RT, Olive Branch, MS, September 11, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2004, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC) - Place: Olive Branch, MS - Coordinates: 34.97861, -89.786666 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9786&lon=-89.7867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Jackson FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60254/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA180 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that on the accident landing, he landed the airplane on the runway centerline and the airplane suddenly veered to the left of the runway centerline, and then veered right "uncontrollably" and departed the runway surface, traveled down an embankment, the right wing collided with a tree, and the airplane came to rest in a ditch. Examination of the wreckage site revealed tire skid marks that began 1600 feet from the threshold of runway 36 and extended to the left side of the runway. At 2000 feet from the threshold, the tire marks departed the left side of the runway surface into the grass for approximately 20 feet before turning back toward the runway surface. Tire skid marks were observed from the grass, heading right (east) across the runway surface, and then departed the right side of runway 36 at 2200 feet from the threshold. The airplane came to rest in a ditch on a southerly heading abeam 2500 feet from the runway 36 threshold. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right wing spar was bent, the left main gear was twisted aft, and the empennage was crushed. Both of the propeller blades were bent aft. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 2004, at 1025 central daylight time, N49RT, an experimental Wood Thorpe T-18 tail wheel equipped airplane, registered to and operated by a private pilot, collided with a tree following a loss of directional control during landing at Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at Olive Branch Airport, on September 11, 2004, at 0915. According to the pilot, he had purchased the airplane the same day of the accident and was flying with the previous owner for purposes of familiarization of operations of the airplane. He stated that several take-offs and landings were completed successfully. He stated that on the accident landing, he landed the airplane on the runway centerline and the airplane suddenly veered to the left of the runway centerline, and then veered right "uncontrollably" and departed the runway surface, traveled down an embankment, the right wing collided with a tree, and the airplane came to rest in a ditch. According to the pilot-rated passenger, the pilot had performed three or four landings. The passenger stated that on the accident landing, "a normal three-point landing was accomplished" by the pilot. He stated the airplane veered to the left side of the runway and "appeared to lift-up." He stated the airplane then veered to the right side of the runway, departed the runway surface, traveled down an embankment, turned right 180 degrees, and came to rest in a ditch at the bottom of the embankment. He stated that he then shut off electrical equipment and engine power. Examination of the wreckage site revealed tire skid marks that began 1600 feet from the threshold of runway 36 and extended to the left side of the runway. At 2000 feet from the threshold, the tire marks departed the left side of the runway surface into the grass for approximately 20 feet before turning back toward the runway surface. Tire skid marks were observed from the grass, heading right (east) across the runway surface, and then departed the right side of runway 36 at 2200 feet from the threshold. The airplane came to rest in a ditch on a southerly heading abeam 2500 feet from the runway 36 threshold. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right wing spar was bent, the left main gear was twisted aft, and the empennage was crushed. Both of the propeller blades were bent aft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49RT-2007-08-09), registration cancelled 2007-08-09, S/N 301, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wood/Thorpe T-18 - Registry model: [Thorp T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510TY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 301 - Airframe hours: 1756 - Engines: Continental O 320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George Savord - Registered owner: Doyle Franklin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2004, 6 hours before - Departed: KOLV, Olive Branch, MS - Airport: KOVL, Olive Branch, runway 36, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 21, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 5,390 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: kolv ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040911021429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040911021429A), Sep 11, 2004: Amtr T18, Olive Branch, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing aircraft veered to the left side of runway and then back across departing the right side hitting a tree. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.