# NTSB LAX88LA315: Billings/Humbyrd Thorp T-18, N45BH, Corona, CA, September 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1988, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26099/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA315

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - communications - not possible (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
- Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown
  - communications - not possible (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN A THORP T-18 AND A PIPER COLLIDED IN FLIGHT. THE PIPER STRUCK THE THORP FROM ABOVE AT APRX 10 FT AGL OVER THE THRESHOLD. THE THORP LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE PIPER COMPLETED A NORMAL LANDING UNTIL THE PROPELLER CONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF FROM CONTACTING THE PROPELLER OF THE THORP. NEITHER PILOT REPORTED HAVING SEEN THE OTHER AIRPLANE. THE PIPER DID NOT HAVE OPERABLE RADIOS AND THE PIPER PILOT REPORTED FLYING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN 300 FT HIGHER THAN PUBLISHED.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N45BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45BH-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N T515 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BILLINGS/HUMBYRD THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Billings/Humbyrd THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/billings-humbyrd-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510P4) (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: T515
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weber, Carolin B.
- Registered owner: Weber, Carolin B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 1988, 120 hours before
- Airport: L66, Corona, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N56243](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56243-1990-10-23), registration cancelled 1990-10-23, S/N 28R7335388 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7335388
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Tovar, Jose J.
- Registered owner: Tovar, Jose J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Airport: L66, Corona, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N45BH; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 906 total, 65 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N56243; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,350 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880910038092A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880910038092A), Sep 10, 1988: Amtrth THORPT18, Corona, CA, Minor damage. Overtaken and hit from above by N56243. Lower aircraft prop cut off nose gear of 56243. Both landed safely.
- [Accident 19880910038091A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880910038091A), Sep 10, 1988: Piper PA28R200, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Circled to land above pattern altitude contacted N45BH from above. Both on final. 45BH prop severed his nose gear.

## Other investigations on N45BH (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 SEA07CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA144), Jun 4, 2007: Billings/Humbyrd Thorpe T-18 (N45BH), Corona, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a fuel system malfunction. The pilot's incorrect maintenance modification to the fuel system and continued operation with known deficiencies…

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.