# NTSB FTW86FPA25: Thorpe T18, N7JA, Mckinney, TX, July 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1986, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Mckinney, TX
- Coordinates: 33.180397, -96.589683 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1804&lon=-96.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FPA25
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FPA25

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDED ON A CLOSED RWY WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH STEEL POSTS EMBEDDED IN THE RWY. THE PLT HAD QUESTIONED A CESSNA PLT WHO MADE A GO-AROUND IN FRONT OF HIM ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE RWY AND WAD ADVISED IT WAS CLOSED. THE PLT SAW THE FLAG & AN 'X' BUT LANDED OVER THEM AND COLLIDED WITH THE POSTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7JA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7JA), registered now, S/N 630 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THORPE T18
- Registry model: [Austin THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/austin-thorp-t-18) (registry code 8951028) (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: 630
- Airframe hours: 538
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John D. Austin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1986, 0 hours before
- Departed: TX05, MCKINNEY, TX
- Destination: TKI, MCKINNEY, TX
- Airport: TKI, Mckinney Muni, runway 17, 2,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 799 total, 538 in this make and model, 756 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860727035249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860727035249A), Jul 27, 1986: Amtrth THORPT18, Mckinney, TX, Substantial damage. Could not determine which end of the runway was closed. Landed on the closed portion and collided with barricades.

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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