# NTSB ATL92LA011: Winchester Thorp T-18, N27DW, Walterboro, SC, October 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1991, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Walterboro, SC
- Coordinates: 32.900989, -80.670333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9010&lon=-80.6703&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 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA011

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE WHEEL BRAKES, AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLYING EXPERIENCE AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, dual student
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS IN THE LEFT SEAT; HIS FATHER, A COMMERCIAL PILOT (NOT AN INSTRUCTOR), WAS IN THE RIGHT SEAT. WHEEL BRAKE PEDALS WERE INSTALLED ON THE LEFT SIDE ONLY.  THE STUDENT WAS LANDING THE AIRPLANE. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE TAIL WHEEL BEGAN TO SHIMMY, AND THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE STUDENT APPLIED WHEEL BRAKES, HOWEVER, HE REPORTED THAT HIS RIGHT FOOT INADVERTENTLY PUSHED A FUEL TANK BRACE INSTEAD OF THE RIGHT BRAKE PEDAL. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT SIDE, AND GROUND LOOPED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27DW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27DW), registered now, S/N 94, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WINCHESTER THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Winchester THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/winchester-thorp-t-18) (registry code 8951061) (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: 94
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jones, Howell C.   III
- Registered owner: Jones, Howell C.   III
- Departed: NONE, SHELDON, SC
- Airport: RBW, Walterboro Municipal, runway 23, 5,150 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 28,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 28,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS, 30 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 19911019047089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911019047089A), Oct 19, 1991: Amtrth THORPT18, Walterboro, SC, Substantial damage. Allowed student pilot to land from right seat. Student lost control and no brakes on right side. Ground looped.

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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