# NTSB NYC08CA011: Slagle Thorp T-18, N515HS, Franklin, KY, October 11, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 10, 2007, 20:30 local (Oct 11, 2007, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, KY
- Coordinates: 36.711112, -86.635833
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7111&lon=-86.6358&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA011

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

The pilot of the amateur built Thorp T-18, performed a low pass over the turf runway in order to check for deer.  The approach and touchdown were normal, but during the landing roll, the airplane became airborne again after crossing a "bump" in the middle of the runway.  The airplane contacted the ground again and the pilot "overbanked, which brought the prop into ground contact."  The propeller dug into the ground, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the amateur built Thorp T-18, following an uneventful flight in the local area, he performed a low pass over the turf runway in order to check for deer.  The approach and touchdown were normal, but during the landing roll, the airplane became airborne again after crossing a "bump" in the middle of the runway.  The airplane contacted the ground again and the pilot "overbanked, which brought the prop into ground contact."  The propeller dug into the ground, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in damage to the empennage and tail portion of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N515HS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N515HS-2008-08-26), registration cancelled 2008-08-26, S/N S-505, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Slagle Thorp T-18
- Registry model: [Slagle Robert E THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/slagle-robert-e-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510R9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: S-505
- Airframe hours: 217
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007
- Departed: BWG, Bowling Green, KY
- Destination: 35KY, Franklin, KY
- Airport: 35KY, Welcome Field, runway 11, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: left; flight hours: 17,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 116 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 330 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: BWG, 19 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 20071010023359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071010023359A), Oct 10, 2007: Amtr THORPT18, Franklin, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) On Wednesday, October 10, 2007, at approximately 7:00 pm central time, a thorp, T-18, operated by a certificated airline transport pilot, (ATP), was…

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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