# NTSB FTW03LA069: Wood Thorp T-18, N335BW, Stephenville, TX, January 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 1, 2003, 15:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Stephenville, TX - Coordinates: 32.215278, -98.177497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2153&lon=-98.1775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56256 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56256/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56256 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control as result of his failure to compensate for the prevailing wind conditions. A contributing factor was the gusty crosswinds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - high wind - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - berm - Nose over, takeoff ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped homebuilt airplane lost control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll from the 4,200-foot long by 75-foot wide asphalt Runway 32. The 647-hour instrument-rated private pilot stated that he applied full power slowly, holding back pressure on the controls until the airplane became airborne. During the transition from back pressure to forward pressure a gust of wind came from the west. The pilot was unable to compensate for the wind in a timely fashion to maintain directional control of the airplane. The airplane became airborne after cresting the top of a berm on the east side of the runway, and landed hard on the far side of the berm, spraying the landing gear. The nearest weather reporting station, which is located 34-nautical miles north of the accident site, reported winds from 290 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 24 knots. The peak winds were reported from 270 degrees at 27 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 1, 2003, at 1555 central standard time, a Wood Thorp T-18 tailwheel-equipped homebuilt airplane, N335BW, was substantially damaged upon collision with terrain following a loss of control while attempting to takeoff from the Clark Field Municipal Airport (SEP), near Stephenville, Texas. The instrument-rated private pilot sustained serious injuries and his pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The 220-nautical mile cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was destined for the Baytown Airport (HPY) near Baytown, Texas. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 647-hour pilot, 292 hours of which were in the accident airplane, reported that he applied full power slowly, holding back pressure on the controls until the airplane became airborne. During the transition from back pressure to forward pressure a gust of wind came from the west. The pilot was unable to compensate for the left crosswind in a timely manner to maintain directional control of the airplane. The airplane became airborne after cresting the top of a berm on the east side of the runway, and landed hard on the far side of the berm, spreading the landing gear. The landing gear pointed toward each wing tip, but the airplane was still progressing forward, dragging the landing gear. The landing gear "hung up" on with the ground and the airplane came to a sudden stop, nosed over, and came to rest in the inverted position. The pilot's sister witnessed the accident, summoned for help, and was the first responder to the accident site. Local fire department and EMS personnel arrived at the accident site. Airbags were used to lift the airplane and the canopy was removed to facilitate the extraction of the two injured occupants. According to witnesses at the airport, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane during the initial takeoff roll from Runway 32. Runway 32 was reported to be a 4,200 feet long by 75 feet wide asphalt runway. An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the canopy was crushed, the propeller was damaged, and both wings sustained structural damage. No anomalies were noted with the airframe or the 160-horsepower Lycoming IO-320-B1A engine. The nearest weather reporting station is located at the Mineral Wells Airport (MWS), which is located 34-nautical miles north of SEP. At 1453 the weather station at MWS reported winds from 290 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 24 knots. The peak winds were reported from 270 degrees at 27 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N335BW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N335BW), registered now, S/N 720, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wood Thorp T-18 - Registry model: [Wood Robert L. THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/wood-robert-l-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510BW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 720 - Airframe hours: 365 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-BIA 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. Wood - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 7, 2002, 4 hours before - Departed: SEP, Stephenville, TX - Destination: HPY, Baytown, TX - Airport: SEP, Clark Field, runway 32, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 9, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 647 total, 292 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 17 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: MWL, 34 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 20030101004759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030101004759A), Jan 1, 2003: Amtr THORPT18, Stephenville, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 1, 2003, at approximately 3:55 pm CST, a thorp T-18 homebuilt airplane, N335BW, piloted by Mr. Robert leon wood, private pilot certificate no.… ## Other investigations on N335BW (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 ERA10CA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA067), Nov 16, 2009: Robert Wood Thorp T18 (N335BW), Newburgh, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56256. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.