# NTSB CHI98LA318: Whetzel Thorpe T-18, N60LW, Rantoul, IL, August 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 1998, 14:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Rantoul, IL - Coordinates: 40.29914, -88.150611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2991&lon=-88.1506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 2, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA318 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45863/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA318 ## Probable cause the pilot not maintaining directional control. Factors were crops and encounter with unsuitable terrain. ## 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, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during rollout after landing the airplane drifted to the side of the runway. He attempted to abort the landing; however, he lost control when the airplane exited the runway into a crop field and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 1998, at 1455 central daylight time, a Whetzel Thorpe T-18 (amateur built airplane), N60LW, sustained substantial damage when it exited runway 27 (5,000' X 75' dry/asphalt), and nosed over, near Rantoul, Illinois. The pilot said that he lost directional control. The pilot reported minor injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Vernon, Ohio about 1400. In his written statement the pilot said that during rollout, the airplane drifted to the left edge of the runway. He said that he applied full throttle attempting to abort the landing; however, he was unable to control the airplane as it exited the runway into a crop field and nosed over. The airplane was examined after the accident and no pre-accident anomalies were found. The flight controls revealed continuity and the brakes operated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60LW-2003-10-22), registration cancelled 2003-10-22, S/N 1109, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Whetzel THORPE T-18 (THORPE T-1) - Registry model: [Whetzel Lawrence C THORPE T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/whetzel-lawrence-c-thorpe-t-18) (registry code 89510U6) (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: 1109 - Airframe hours: 510 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lawrence C. Whetzel Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 6G4, VERNON, OH - Destination: 2I5 - Airport: 2I5, Frank Elliott Field, runway 27, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,032 total, 500 in this make and model, 946 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: 2I5 ## 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 19980815029889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980815029889A), Aug 15, 1998: Rantoul, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing at the Rantoul airport, Rantoul, IL, the appropriately certificated private pilot lost directional control of the aircraft while attempting… ## Other investigations on N60LW (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX02LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA296), Sep 25, 2002: Whetzel Thorpe T-18 (N60LW), Valley Center, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation by not verifying the fuel supply, and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. A… 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.