# NTSB LAX87DVA08: Hastings Thorp T18, N50RH, Patterson, CA, July 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1987, 17:30 local (Jul 18, 1987, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Patterson, CA
- Coordinates: 37.630619, -121.010353 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6306&lon=-121.0104&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 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVA08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVA08

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDING WITH A 90 DEGREE CROSSWIND WITH A VELOCITY OF APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED, RAN OFF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N50RH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HASTINGS THORP T18
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1279
- Airframe hours: 451
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290G 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hastings, Robert E.
- Registered owner: Robert E Hastings
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 027, OAKDALE, CA
- Destination: PATTERSON, CA
- Airport: 06, Patterson, runway 17, 2,500 × 50 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 450 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOD

## 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 19870717037479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870717037479A), Jul 17, 1987: Amtrth THORPT18, Patterson, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing in a crosswind. Ground looped and nosed over. Exceeded the crosswind component.

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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