# NTSB CEN12LA566: Thorp T-18, N2443, Gilmer, TX, August 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2012, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Gilmer, TX - Coordinates: 32.697776, -94.948608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6978&lon=-94.9486&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Continental Motors, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84768 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA566 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84768/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84768 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA566 ## Probable cause The disconnected metering unit fuel line, which resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance; cases with it: [Thorp T-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=89510T7), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Thorp T-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=89510T7), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel; cases with it: [Thorp T-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=89510T7), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Thorp T-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=89510T7), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Thorp T-18, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=89510T7), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to wooded terrain. Examination of the engine revealed the fuel line from the fuel pump to the metering unit was disconnected at the metering unit. This disconnection would result in a loss of engine power. No additional anomalies were noted during the airframe and engine examination. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2012, approximately 1740 central daylight time, a Thorp T-18 experimental amateur-built airplane, N2443, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during an attempted takeoff from Gilmer Municipal Airport (JXI), Gilmer, Texas. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to McClendon Associates and operated by the pilot under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was destined for Denton, Texas. According to the pilot, the fuel tanks were 3/4 full. Prior to takeoff, the pilot completed an engine run up with no problems noted. Shortly after takeoff, the engine rpm rolled back from 2,300 to 1,500 rpm. The pilot attempted to restore engine power; however, he was unsuccessful. The pilot executed a forced landing to tree-covered terrain. The airplane impacted several trees and came to rest upright. A review of the engine maintenance records showed the engine underwent a conditional inspection on September 1, 2011, at a tachometer time of 930.9 hours. The engine was overhauled on March 23, 2003, at a tachometer time of 593.4 hours. On September 21, 2012, at the facilities of Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas, the engine was examined under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. Examination of the engine revealed that the fuel line from the fuel pump to the metering unit was disconnected at the metering unit. No other anomalies were noted with the engine during the examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2443](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2443-2014-03-17), registration cancelled 2014-03-17, S/N 536, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THORP T-18 - Registry model: [Thorp T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510TX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 536 - Airframe hours: 780 - Engines: Continental Motors, Inc. IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 1, 2011 - Departed: JXI, Gilmer, TX - Destination: DTO, Denton, TX - Airport: JXI, Gilmer Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 10, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F ## 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 20120821019029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120821019029A), Aug 21, 2012: Thorp T-18, Gilmer, TX, Destroyed. On August 21, 2012 the aircraft took off from fox-Stephens Field (kjxi) on rwy 18 and upon climb out the engine lost power. The aircraft subsequently crashed… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84768. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382485&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt of Engine Logbook (item 2, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382487&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20of%20Engine%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Continental Motors Engine Examination Report (item 3, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continental%20Motors%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-Redacted.PDF 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.