# NTSB LAX87LA158: Thorp T-18, N26CK, Riverside, CA, March 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1987, 16:30 local (Mar 28, 1987, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Riverside, CA
- Location: 33.9533° N, 117.3961° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Riverside, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9533&lon=-117.3961&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA158

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Fire, cruise
  - fuel system,primer system - leak (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fire (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON A FLT TO PRACTICE AEROBATICS, THE PLT WAS FLYING AT 3500' WHEN HE FELT A COLD LIQUID ON HIS RGT LEG & NOTED THE ODOR OF FUEL IN THE COCKPIT. MOMENTS LATER, FLAMES ERUPTED IN THE COCKPIT. THE PLT BAILED OUT & THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON THE SOUTHEAST SHORE OF LAKE MATHEWS. A POSTCRASH EXAM REVEALED MAJOR HEAT DAMAGE IN THE AREA NEAR THE PRIMER LINES. THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE PRIMER ASSEMBLY HAD LEAKED ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26CK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26CK-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 003, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THORP T-18
- Registry model: [ECK Russell THORP T 18](https://openairdocs.org/model/eck-russell-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510JH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 003
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott K. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1986
- Departed: PERRIS, CA
- Airport: RAL, Riverside

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,012 total, 23 in this make and model, 832 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: RAL, 8 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 19870327007479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870327007479A), Mar 27, 1987: Amtrth THORPT18, Riverside, CA, Destroyed. Fuel primer leaked fuel on pilots feet. Fire erupted, pilot bailed out. Had previous problem of leaking primer.

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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