# NTSB NYC82DA161: Thorp T-18, N62RB, Connellsville, PA, July 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1982, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Connellsville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.010402, -79.580818 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0104&lon=-79.5808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,partial (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause)
  - engine assembly - vibration (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE THE STUDENT WAS TAKING OFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 300 TO 400 FT AGL. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) TOOK CONTROL AND INITIATED A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. HE STATED THAT DUE TO THE VIBRATION, HE HAD TO REDUCE THE POWER, AND WITH THE POWER REDUCTION, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REACH THE AIRPORT. WHILE MAKING A FORCED LANDING, DOWNHILL ON SOFT TERRAIN, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE METAL LEADING EDGE PORTION OF THE PROPELLER TIP HAD SEPARATED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A WOODEN SENSENICH 66LN74 PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62RB-1985-05-15), registration cancelled 1985-05-15, S/N 731 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Burlingame THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/burlingame-thorp-t-18) (registry code 8951055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 731
- Airframe hours: 246
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Duane Simm
- Registered owner: Duane Simm
- Departed: CONNELLSVILLE, PA
- Destination: CONNELLSVILLE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,696 total, 19 in this make and model, 1,576 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F

## 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 19820721030889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820721030889A), Jul 21, 1982: Beech 18*, Connellsville, PA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing. Propeller blade tip failure occurred. P/N66LN74.

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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