# NTSB FTW98LA181: Waxenfelter Thorp T-18, N18WX, Morrilton, AR, April 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 11, 1998, 19:20 local (Apr 12, 1998, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Morrilton, AR - Coordinates: 35.14928, -92.739486 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1493&lon=-92.7395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20578 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20578/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA181 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Overrun, landing - roll - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During landing roll on runway 20, the aircraft abruptly veered left and departed the runway impacting a tree. The pilot reported that 'very little' cross wind correction was required during the landing. During the landing roll, he held the tail off until it came down 'normally.' A short distance after the tail wheel touched down the aircraft started to veer to the left. 'Normal amount of correction (right rudder) was totally ineffective.' The aircraft departed the left side of the runway with 'full right rudder, right brake locked, and stick full back.' The aircraft was recovering to the right when it slid into a tree. The pilot reported that the wind was from 170 degrees at 4 to 5 knots. His examination of the aircraft after the event did not reveal any mechanical problems with the flight controls. The pilot had accumulated at total of 99 hours in his tailwheel equipped airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 1998, approximately 1920 central daylight time, a Waxenfelter Thorp T-18 experimental airplane, N18WX, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at the Petit Jean Park Airport, near Morrilton, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Russellville, Arkansas, about 1900. The pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that, "very little" cross wind correction was required during the landing to runway 20. During the landing roll, he held the tail off until it came down "normally." A short distance after the tail wheel touched down, the aircraft started to "abruptly" veer to the left. "Normal amount of correction (right rudder) was totally ineffective." As the aircraft continued to veer left, the pilot applied full right rudder and some brake; however, it did not have any effect. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway with "full right rudder, right brake locked, and stick full back." The aircraft was recovering to the right when it slid into a tree, structurally damaging the left wing and left horizontal stabilator. In the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that he had accumulated a total of 99 hours in his tailwheel equipped airplane. He further reported that the wind was from 170 degrees at 4 to 5 knots. His examination of the aircraft after the event did not reveal any mechanical problems with the flight controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18WX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18WX), registered now, S/N 1180, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Waxenfelter THORP T-18 - Registry model: [Waxenfelter Jack G THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/waxenfelter-jack-g-thorp-t-18) (registry code 05603U6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1180 - Airframe hours: 99 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack G. Waxenfelter - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1997, 17 hours before - Departed: RUE, RUSSELLVILLE, AR - Destination: MPJ - Airport: MPJ, Petit Jean Park, runway 20, 5,853 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,137 total, 99 in this make and model, 1,097 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots, gusting 6 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °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 19980411006499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980411006499A), Apr 11, 1998: Amtr THORPT18, Morrilton, AR, Substantial damage. (Tty) acft ran off the rwy after landing and struck trees. Morrilton, AR. (.4)during landing roll on runway 20, the aircraft abruptly veered left and departed… 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.