# NTSB ATL07LA116: Niva Thorp T-18, N6GN, Wellington, FL, August 19, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 2007, 09:28 local (13:28 UTC) - Place: Wellington, FL - Coordinates: 26.641111, -80.289718 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6411&lon=-80.2897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66468/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA116 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to a partially blocked intake manifold and water contamination of the fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - induction air control,intake manifold - blocked(partial) (cause) - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Witnesses stated that they observed the airplane in level flight, about 300 feet above the ground, when the engine quit. The airplane was then observed executing a left turn in an attempt to return to the airport. During the left turn, the airplane began to descend at a rapid rate, then impacted the ground. Examination of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration found that the engine rotated freely and had continuity through the accessory section. Water was observed in various portions of the fuel system, with the most significant amount of water found in the electric fuel pump. The foam air filter element was found lodged in the inlet of the throttle body, which would have obstructed air flow into the engine causing it to quit. Normally, the filter element would be positioned at the opening of the induction system intake. The pilot’s father indicated that the pilot had previous problems starting the engine when it was at operating temperatures. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 2007, at 0928 eastern daylight time, a Thorp T-18 experimental airplane, N6GN, crashed into a field shortly after takeoff from the Wellington Aero Club Airport (FD38), West Palm Beach, Florida. The certificated private pilot and passenger were killed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. Witnesses stated that about 300 feet above the ground, in level flight, the airplane’s engine quit. The airplane was then observed executing a left turn in an attempt to return to the airport. During the left turn, the airplane began to descend at a rapid rate impacting the ground. The pilot, age 40, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, issued on February 17, 2005, and a second-class medical certificate issued on September 22, 2004, with no restrictions. Examination of the accident site by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found that the airplane had impacted the ground in a slightly nose and right wing low attitude sliding 129 feet before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage found the engine separated from its mounts and angled to the right. The right wing had separated outboard of the wing flap. Examination of the engine by the FAA found that the engine rotated freely and had continuity through the accessory section. Water was observed in various portions of the fuel system. The most significant amount of water was noted in the electric fuel pump. The gascolator filter bowl was dislodged during impact. Corrosion was noted in the bottom of the gascolator bowl. Surface corrosion was also noted on the filter screen of the servo fuel injector unit. Upon disassembly a droplet of water was noted within the fuel manifold. A visual inspection was conducted of the servo fuel injector assembly. The foam air filter element was found lodged in the inlet of the throttle body. Normally, the filter element is positioned at the opening of the induction system intake. According to the pilot’s father, the airplane was extremely difficult to start when the engine was at operating temperature. The airplane’s logbooks were not located, and the airplane’s most recent inspection could not be determined. An autopsy was performed on the pilot on August 20, 2007 by the Office of the District Medical Examiner, District 15 - State of Florida, Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Florida. The autopsy findings reported the cause of death as multiple blunt traumatic injuries. Forensic toxicology was performed on specimens from the pilot by the Federal Aviation Administration, Aeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicology report stated that no Carbon Monoxide, Cyanide or Ethanol was detected in blood or vitreous fluid. However, Citalopram, N-Desmethylcitalopram and DI-N-Desmethylcitalopram were present in blood, and urine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6GN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6GN-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 364 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Niva Thorp T-18 - Registry model: [Niva THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/niva-thorp-t-18) (registry code 8951079) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 364 - Airframe hours: 884.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Scott M. Schlander - Registered owner: Charles G. Kimbell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: FD38, Wellington, FL - Airport: FD38, Wellington Aero Club, runway 15, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total, 40 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 10 nm away ## 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 20070819021749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070819021749A), Aug 19, 2007: Amtr THORPT18, West Palm Beac, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) At approximately 0930 on August 19, 2007, aircraft N6GN, sn: 342, a thorp T-18, departed FD38 on a 14 CFR 91 flight. There were two occupants onboard,… 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.