# NTSB FTW86FRA11: Thorp Aero 211, N29754, Liberty, TX, August 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1986, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, TX
- Coordinates: 30.039239, -94.789566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0392&lon=-94.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FRA11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FRA11

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH WHICH SHEARED THE NOSE GEAR DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT SAID HE HAD ONLY FLOWN ABOUT 30 MINUTES SINCE REFUELING AND SUSPECTED A FUEL PROBLEM. HE STATED THAT HE HAD CHECKED FOR WATER & CONTAMINENTS DURING PRE-FLT BUT FOUND NONE. AFTER THE ENG SUDDENLY QUIT IN FLT HE UNSUCCESSFULLY USED HEAT AND CHECKED IGNITION (MAGS ON), IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENG. DURING FORCED LANDING IN A HAY FIELD THE ACFT STRUCK A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29754](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29754-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 010, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Thorp Aero, Inc. 211
- Registry model: [Aircraft ENG. Associates THORP 211](https://openairdocs.org/model/aircraft-eng-associates-thorp-211) (registry code 8951097) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 010
- Airframe hours: 825
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas E. Kurtz, Jr.
- Registered owner: Thorp 211 Aircraft Co. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: 9X52, PORTER, TX
- Destination: BTR, BATON ROUGE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,483 total, 80 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °F

## 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 19860803037279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860803037279A), Aug 3, 1986: Adamst THORPT211, Liberty, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot reported engine quit. Landed in an open field and nosed over. Power loss unexplained.

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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