# NTSB CHI87DEX02: Rohdecap/Thorp T-18, N2433, Elwood, IN, November 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1986, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Elwood, IN
- Coordinates: 40.130229, -85.760246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1302&lon=-85.7602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEX02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEX02

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED ANDERSON, INDIANA TO CHECK FARM FIELDS FOR STANDING WATER, THEN ELECTED TO LAND AT THE ELWOOD ARPT AT ELWOOD, INDIANA. THE SOD RWY AT THE ARPT HAD AN UNEVEN GRADIENT & WAS SOFT FROM RECENT RAINS. WHILE LANDING ON THE SOFT,UNEVEN RWY, THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2433](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2433-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 547, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROHDECAP/THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Rohdecap T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/rohdecap-t-18) (registry code 89510BU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 547
- Airframe hours: 616
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Loren E. Huston
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1986, 24 hours before
- Departed: AID, ANDERSON, IN
- Airport: 3I1, Elwood, runway 18, 2,300 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 934 total, 493 in this make and model, 906 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 19,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 38 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 19861122059999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861122059999A), Nov 22, 1986: Amtrth THORPT18, Elwood, IN, Substantial damage. The aircraft nosed over during landing on a soft sod strip. Pilot did not have a current medical or flight review.

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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