# NTSB LAX07CA009: Finney Thorp T-18, N467JF, San Diego, CA, October 13, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 13, 2006, 13:25 local (21:25 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.799999, -117.14389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8000&lon=-117.1439&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64714 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64714/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA009 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The airplane ground looped during the landing rollout and the right wing was bent. The pilot reported that the approach and touchdown were normal, but he lost directional control during the rollout due to crosswind conditions. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2006, about 1325 Pacific standard time, an experimental Finney Thorpe T-18, N467JF, ground looped after landing on runway 28L at Montgomery Field (MYF), San Diego, California. The private pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight. The airplane departed at an unknown time from MYF. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) interviewed the pilot. The pilot reported that there was a direct crosswind of about 10-15 knots. He made a normal approach and landing. On the landing rollout, the airplane ground looped, and bent the right wing. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. According to tower personnel, the airplane bounced on landing, porpoised down the runway, and struck the ground in a right wing low nose down attitude. The recorded routine aviation weather report (METAR) issued for MYF at 1253 indicated: winds from 170 at 7 knots; visibility 10 statue miles; a scattered cloud layer at 6,000 feet; temperature 21 degrees Celsius; dew point 11 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 29.81 inches of Mercury (inHg). At 1325, the recorded winds were from 230 degrees at 9 knots. At 1353, the recorded winds were from 220 degrees at 11 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N467JF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N467JF-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 467, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Finney Thorp T-18 - Registry model: [Finney Thorp T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/finney-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510US) (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: 467 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: MYF, San Diego, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field, runway 28L, 3,401 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: MYF ## 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 20061013029299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061013029299A), Oct 13, 2006: Amtr T18, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was landing on runway 28L at San Diego Montgomery Field Airport (kmyf). A special weather observation made by myf ATC at… ## Other investigations on N467JF (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 WPR10LA429](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA429), Aug 26, 2010: Finney Thorp T-18 (N467JF), Willcox, AZ, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during a steep turn and at a low altitude in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. 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.