# NTSB MIA83LA067: Pace THORP-T-18, N679JB, Tampa, FL, January 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1983, 19:40 local (Jan 31, 1983, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 28.000938, -82.379096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0009&lon=-82.3791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30841/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA067

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - flt control syst,rudder control - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DRIFTED LEFT DURING TAKEOFF AND COLLIDED WITH A VASI LIGHT. THE PILOT STATED TO A WITNESS THAT HE KNEW HE WAS GOING LEFT BUT THOUGHT HE WOULD BE AIRBORNE BEFORE LEAVING THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT RUDDER CABLE WAS FRAYED AND BROKE SOMETIME IN THE TAKEOFF SEQUENCE. THE PILOT FLEW TO TAMPA INTERNAT'L AND LANDED WHERE THE ACFT GROUNDLOOPED DURINGLANDING DUE TO DAMAGE INCURRED IN THE VASI COLLISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N679JB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PACE THORP-T-18
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 679
- Airframe hours: 300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond Bundschuh
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1982, 10 hours before
- Destination: VLD, VALDOSTA, GA
- Airport: X16, Tampa-Vandenberg, runway 36, 3,260 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,115 total, 3 in this make and model, 609 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 7 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 19830130003229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830130003229A), Jan 30, 1983: Amtrth THORPT18, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Allowed aircraft to drift left on takeoff. Frayed rudder cable hit a VASI light and broke. Ground looped landing.

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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