# NTSB FTW86FQG04: Lagatore Thorp T-18, N4715, Lubbock, TX, November 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1985, 13:47 local (19:47 UTC)
- Place: Lubbock, TX
- Coordinates: 33.599861, -101.979789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5999&lon=-101.9798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FQG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FQG04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A 75 TO 85 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE FOLLOWING A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PLT WAS REPORTEDLY CIRCLING A FRIEND'S HOUSE AT AN ALT OF 800 TO 1000 FT AGL WHEN THE ACFT STALLED, ENTERED A SPIN AND DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4715 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LAGATORE THORP T-18
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 421 RHL
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2C 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leland D. Miller
- Registered owner: Thomas W. Boughn
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1985, 20 hours before
- Departed: Q24, LEVELLAND, TX

## 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; toxicology performed; flight hours: 669 total, 5 in this make and model, 606 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBB, 6 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 19851117057459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851117057459A), Nov 17, 1985: Amtrth THORPT18, Lubbock, TX, Destroyed. After circling a friends house aircraft stalled and spun into the ground.

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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