# NTSB CHI92DEE02: Vandenbos/Thorp T-18, N4PV, Schaumburg, IL, June 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1992, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Schaumburg, IL
- Coordinates: 42.02956, -88.0802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0296&lon=-88.0802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DEE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DEE02

## Probable cause

SHORTING OF CONDENSERS ON BOTH MAGNETOS.  A FACTOR WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE SERVICING OF THE AIRPLANE BY OTHER MAINTNEANCE PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto - shorted (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE LOST ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB FROM TAKEOFF, AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A SWAMP.  BOTH MAGNETOS FAILED FUNCTIONAL TEST.  ON DISASSEMBLY, BOTH MAGNETOS EXHIBITED BURNED POINTS, PITTED ROTORS, SHORTED CONDENSERS AND OTHER DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4PV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4PV-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 495, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANDENBOS/THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Thorp T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510T7) (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: 495
- Airframe hours: 450
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vandenbos, Cornelius M.
- Registered owner: Vandenbos, Cornelius M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: 06C
- Destination: 06C
- Airport: 06C, Schaumburg Airpark, runway 28, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 166 total, 166 in this make and model, 166 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 8 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 19920613019869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920613019869A), Jun 13, 1992: Amtrth THORPT18, Chicago/Schaumb, IL, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff. Crash landed in a pond. Both mags inop. Shorted. Burned pitted points. Mags corroded.

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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