# NTSB LAX02LA296: Whetzel Thorpe T-18, N60LW, Valley Center, CA, September 25, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 2002, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Valley Center, CA - Coordinates: 33.258335, -117.083335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2583&lon=-117.0833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55779 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA296 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55779/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA296 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation by not verifying the fuel supply, and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the pilot's decision to initiate flight with a known equipment deficiency (inoperative fuel quantity gauge). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine experienced a loss of power while en route, and the airplane collided with a dirt berm while he attempted a forced landing at a private airstrip. With the flaps in the retracted position, he attempted to land on the dirt runway. While on the landing roll, he was unable to stop the airplane before colliding with a hill at the end of the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane about an hour after the accident occurred. He did not see any skid marks to indicate emergency braking action. He also saw no signs of fuel at the accident site. He visually checked the inside of the fuel tanks and found that both were empty. Neither of the fuel tanks were breached during the accident. He also noted that the airplane's fuel gauges were inoperable. The pilot told him that the fuel indictors do not work, but he visually checked the quantity before flights. He added that he uses automobile fuel, which has no color, and therefore, is difficult to verify quantity. ## Factual narrative On, September 25, 2002, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Whetzel Thorpe T-18, N60LW, collided with terrain while making a forced landing at a private airstrip near Valley Center, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power in cruise. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Ramona Airport, Ramona, California, about 1240. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and it was not determined if a flight plan had been filed. The wreckage was at 33 degrees 15.5 minutes north latitude by 117 degrees 05 minutes west longitude. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane about an hour after the accident occurred. He stated that he talked to the pilot about the accident. The pilot reported that the engine experienced a loss of power while en route. He made a forced landing at the nearest airstrip. With the flaps in the retracted position, he attempted to land on the dirt runway. While on the landing roll, he was unable to stop the airplane before colliding with a hill at the end of the runway. The FAA inspector did not see any skid marks to indicate emergency braking action. He also stated that he saw no signs of fuel at the accident sight. He visually checked the inside of the fuel tanks and found that both were empty. Neither of the fuel tanks were breached during the accident. He also noted that the airplane's fuel gauges were inoperable. The pilot told him that the airplane's fuel indictors do not work, but he visually checked the quantity before flights. He added that he uses automobile fuel, which has no color, and is therefore difficult to verify quantity. The pilot voluntarily surrendered his pilot certificate on 12/03/02 to the FAA. The pilot failed to file or return a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60LW-2003-10-22), registration cancelled 2003-10-22, S/N 1109, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Whetzel Thorpe T-18 - Registry model: [Whetzel Lawrence C THORPE T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/whetzel-lawrence-c-thorpe-t-18) (registry code 89510U6) (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: 1109 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lawrence Whetzel - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: RNM, Ramona Airport, CA - Destination: 2CA4, Valley Center, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 2CA4, Blackinton Airport, runway 17, 2,200 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KRNM, 16 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 20020925025039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020925025039A), Sep 25, 2002: Amtr T18, Valley Center, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On, September 25, 2002, about 1300 hours pacific daylight time, an experimental whetzel thorpe T-18, N60LW, made a forced landing at the Blackinton… ## Other investigations on N60LW (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI98LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA318), Aug 15, 1998: Whetzel Thorpe T-18 (N60LW), Rantoul, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot not maintaining directional control. Factors were crops and encounter with unsuitable terrain. 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.