# NTSB MIA96LA101: Summerfeldt Thorp T-18, Hampton, SC, March 17, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1996, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Hampton, SC
- Location: 32.8680° N, 81.1101° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hampton, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8680&lon=-81.1101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37993
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37993/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA101

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper planning/decision and selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing.  Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's failure to use a preflight briefing service, the adverse weather conditions, and soft terrain in the precautionary landing area.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - hail (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot obtained weather information from a television weather report before departure. While en route, he encountered heavy rain, hail, and high winds. He executed a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered soft terrain and nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On March 17, 1996, about 0905 eastern standard time, a Summerfeldt Thorp T-18, Canadian registration CFPVE, registered to a private owner, nosed over while landing in a field, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personnel flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Jacksonville, Florida, on March 17, 1996, about 0705.

The pilot stated that before departure he obtained weather information by watching a television weather report. While en route from Jacksonville to Allendale, South Carolina, with another aircraft, they encountered instrument meteorological conditions with heavy rain, hail, and high winds. They attempted to fly to the Hampton, South Carolina Airport, but were unsuccessful due to the weather. They elected to make a precautionary landing in a field. While landing the aircraft nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFPVE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SUMMERFELDT THORP T-18
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 91
- Airframe hours: 80
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian M. Summerfeldt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1995, 30 hours before
- Departed: 23J, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Destination: 88J, ALLENDALE, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 825 total, 80 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS, 45 nm away

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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