# NTSB LAX90DUG10: ELY Thorp T-18, N9JE, Claremont, CA, September 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1990, 17:38 local (Sep 25, 1990, 00:38 UTC)
- Place: Claremont, CA
- Coordinates: 34.119274, -117.71025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1193&lon=-117.7103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUG10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUG10

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S).

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown

## Analysis

GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IN A SPIN, AND THEN COLLIDE WITH THE TERRAIN. THEY DID NOT HEAR THE ENGINE OR UNUSUAL NOISES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE, FLIGHT CONTROLS, AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL DIFFICULTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9JE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9JE-1991-05-23), registration cancelled 1991-05-23, S/N 892 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ELY THORP T-18
- Registry model: [ELY Jack L. THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/ely-jack-l-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510D9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 892
- Airframe hours: 221
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Duval
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1990, 11 hours before
- Departed: POC, LA VERNE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 362 total, 320 in this make and model, 313 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: POC, 5 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 19900924042199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900924042199A), Sep 24, 1990: Amtrth THORPT18, Claremont, CA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Observed spinning to ground impact phase prior spin entry unknown.

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.