# NTSB LAX83LA191: Walston Thorp T-18, N82GW, Red Bluff, CA, April 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1983, 13:11 local (21:11 UTC)
- Place: Red Bluff, CA
- Coordinates: 40.129013, -122.429893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1290&lon=-122.4299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA191

## 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
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER IN A DITCH AFTER LEAVING THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING. THE PILOT HAD MADE 3 LANDINGS AND WAS CONCLUDINGHIS FLIGHT WHEN HE MISJUDGED HIS TURN TO EXIT THE RUNWAY AND LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT WENT OFF THE PAVED SURFACE ROLLED INTO A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82GW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82GW-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N GW1, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WALSTON THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Walston George THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/walston-george-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510JR) (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: GW1
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Walston
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1983, 4 hours before
- Airport: RBL, Red Bluff Muni, runway 15, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,367 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 85 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBL, 1 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 19830410012119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830410012119A), Apr 10, 1983: Amtrth THORPT18, Red Bluff, CA, Destroyed. Misjudged turn off runway after landing. Ran off taxiway into a ditch and overturned.

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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