# NTSB LAX04LA033: Davidson-Thorpe T-18, N66MY, Coalinga, CA, November 2, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 2003, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Coalinga, CA - Coordinates: 36.248054, -120.240554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2481&lon=-120.2406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58323 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58323/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA033 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and hi failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. ## 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 - weather condition - tailwind - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway during landing rollout and nosed over. A pilot witness reported that during final approach to the runway, the airplane's airspeed was faster than normal. After touchdown, the airplane bounced down the runway, and began to veer to the left. The pilot experienced a loss of control, and the airplane continued off the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Police officers at the scene estimated that the winds were from 140 degrees at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 2, 2003, about 1200 Pacific standard time, a Davidson-Thorpe T18, N66MY, veered off the runway and nosed over at Harris Ranch Airport, Coalinga, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Santa Maria, California, about 1100, en route to Fresno, California, with a stop at Harris Ranch for lunch. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported to a sheriff's department officer that during final approach to the runway, the airplane's airspeed was faster than normal. After touchdown, the airplane bounced down the runway, and began to veer to the left. The pilot experienced a loss of control, and the airplane continued off the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. A pilot in the landing pattern behind the accident airplane reported witnessing the airplane land on runway 32. After touchdown, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The right wing contacted the ground, and then the airplane nosed over. A California Highway Patrol officer responded to the scene, and he estimated that the winds were from 140 degrees at 5 knots. Despite repeated attempts by the Safety Board investigator, the pilot failed to submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66MY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66MY-2013-05-29), registration cancelled 2013-05-29, S/N 588-D, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Davidson-Thorpe T-18 - Registry model: [Davidson-Thorp T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/davidson-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510GN) (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: 588-D - Engines: Lycoming O -290 Series 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: SMX, Santa Maria, CA - Destination: 3O8, Coalinga, CA - Airport: 3O8, Harris Ranch Airport, runway 32, 2,820 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: NLC, 15 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 20031102027379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031102027379A), Nov 2, 2003: Amtr T18, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing on runway 32 at Harris ranch (3O8), Coalinga, California, N66MY, a davidson-thorp T-18 veered off the left side of the runway into a dirt… ## Other investigations on N66MY (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 LAX90DUQ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUQ01), Jan 6, 1990: Davidson Throp T-18 (N66MY), Camarillo, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE LANDING IN A CROSSWIND. 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.