# NTSB DEN85LTE05: Gordon Thorpe T-18, N633GG, Alamosa, CO, July 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1985, 18:15 local (Jul 26, 1985, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Alamosa, CO
- Coordinates: 37.460918, -105.869186 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4609&lon=-105.8692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LTE05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LTE05

## 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
  - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT OF THE AMATEUR BUILT ACFT WAS ON A FLT TO ASHKOSH, WI WITH AN EN ROUTE STOP AT PUEBLO, CO. DUE TO WX IN THE PUEBLO AREA, HE DIVERTED TO ALAMOSA, CO. ON HIS 1ST APCH TO LAND ON RWY 20, HE MADE A GO-AROUND. ON HIS 2ND APCH, THE ACFT LANDED LONG & AT HIGH SPEED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT, WENT OFF THE RWY & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCE AT FLYING TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT, WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH HIGH ALT ARPT LANDINGS & HAD 'JUST LOST IT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N633GG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N633GG), registered now, S/N 1098, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GORDON THORPE T-18 (THORPE T-1)
- Registry model: [Gordon Gus G THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/gordon-gus-g-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510M1) (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: 1098
- Airframe hours: 495
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gus G. Gordon
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 12, 1985, 495 hours before
- Departed: PGA, PAGE, AZ
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ALS, Alamosa Muni/Bergman, runway 20, 8,499 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 252 total, 50 in this make and model, 177 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 137 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 19850725033769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850725033769A), Jul 25, 1985: Amtrth THORPT18, Alamosa, CO, Substantial damage. Bounced after landing long and fast. Lost directional control and departed runway.

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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