# NTSB ATL88DMG03: Thorp T-18, N1369, Advance, NC, March 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 29, 1988, 19:50 local (Mar 1, 1988, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Advance, NC
- Location: 35.9458° N, 80.3922° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Advance, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9458&lon=-80.3922&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88DMG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88DMG03

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1369](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1369), registered now, S/N RLG-316, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Godwin Robert L. JR. T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/godwin-robert-l-jr-t-18) (registry code 89510GK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RLG-316
- Airframe hours: 8486
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nicky H. Buchanan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 16, 1987, 352 hours before
- Departed: INT, WINSTON-SALEM, NC
- Destination: 8A7, MOCKSVILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 80 in this make and model, 335 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880229003979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880229003979A), Feb 29, 1988: Amtrth THORPT18, Advance, NC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Struck a powerline and crashed trying to land in an open field.

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.

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