# NTSB MKC82FCG18: Thorp T-18, N75A, Neosho, MO, July 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1982, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Neosho, MO
- Location: 36.8455° N, 94.3764° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Neosho, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8455&lon=-94.3764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FCG18
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCG18

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AFTER IT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR A LANDING. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT HE OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT CLOSE IN ON A BASE LEG AS THE PILOT BEGAN A TURN TO FINAL APPROACH. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE PILOT WAS IN A 60 DEG TURN AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL, AND WAS NEITHER CLIMBING NOR DESCENDING, WHEN THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE PLANE NOSED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75A-1983-05-20), registration cancelled 1983-05-20, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Richardson Francis A. THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/richardson-francis-a-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510E8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 113
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francis A. Richardson
- Registered owner: Francis A. Richardson
- Departed: SHERMAN, TX
- Destination: KELSO, WA
- Airport: runway 19, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820730033619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820730033619A), Jul 30, 1982: Amtrth THORPT18, Neosho, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was observed to stall when turning to final approach for 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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