# NTSB MIA86FA101: Durkota Thorp T-18, N83GD, Lakeland, FL, March 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1986, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Coordinates: 28.00967, -81.929039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0097&lon=-81.9290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA101

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,primer system - open (contributing factor)
  - checklist - inadequate, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED BLACK SMOKE TRAILING FROM THE HOMEBUILT ACFT DURING TAKEOFF & INITIAL CLIMB. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO AN ESTIMATED ALT OF 150 TO 200 FT WHERE ENG SOUND CEASED & THE PROP STOPPED. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO ATTEMPT A LEFT TURN BACK TOWARD THE RWY. DURING THE TURN, THE NOSE CAME UP & WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT STALLED ABOUT ONE-HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN & CRASHED TO THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE COCKPIT REVEALED THAT THE HAND ACTUATED FUEL PRIMER WAS IN THE UNLOCKED & OUT POSITION. A REVIEW OF THE ACFT'S CHECKLISTS FAILED TO REVEAL ANY REFERENCE TO ENSURING THAT THE PRIMER IS IN & LOCKED AFTER ENGINE START.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N83GD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DURKOTA THORP T-18
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 832
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph E. Joiner
- Registered owner: Vernon R. Parker And
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL
- Airport: LAL, Lakeland

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,700 total, 11 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 28 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 19860319006999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860319006999A), Mar 19, 1986: Amtrth THORPT18, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. After liftoff, engine stopped and aircraft stalled as pilot attempted turn. Primer was found not locked in.

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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