# NTSB FTW85LA127: Thorpe T-18, N40HB, Ada, OK, February 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1985, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Ada, OK
- Coordinates: 34.769557, -96.660087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7696&lon=-96.6601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21680
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21680/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,tank - deteriorated (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - blocked(total)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN STORED FOR 8 MONTHS WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN THE TANK. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT LOST CONTROL & THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A 45 DEG ANGLE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT SOFTENED TANK SEALANT MATERIAL WAS OBSTRUCTING THE TANK STRAINER SCREEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40HB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40HB-1996-10-22), registration cancelled 1996-10-22, S/N 165 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THORPE T-18
- Registry model: [Thorp T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510TM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 165
- Airframe hours: 537
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry D. Bingman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: ADH, Ada Municipal, runway 35, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLC, 44 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 19850224056189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850224056189A), Feb 24, 1985: Amtrth THORPT18, Ada, OK, Destroyed. Total loss of power after takeoff. Stalled, impacted ground. Pilot did not lower nose. Sealant blocked fuel screen.

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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