# NTSB SEA07CA144: Billings/Humbyrd Thorpe T-18, N45BH, Corona, CA, June 4, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2007, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Coordinates: 33.897499, -117.602218 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8975&lon=-117.6022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Riverside Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 65920 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65920/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA144 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a fuel system malfunction. The pilot's incorrect maintenance modification to the fuel system and continued operation with known deficiencies were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system - malfunction (cause) - maintenance - incorrect, pilot in command (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The pilot reported that the day before the accident, the engine experienced a loss of power "from apparent fuel starvation." On the day of the accident, the pilot reported that before the flight he inspected and modified the fuel system. The pilot stated that he "installed fuel hose directly from tank to carb, bypassing gascolator and fuel flow sensor." The pilot then ran the engine at full power for five minutes before takeoff. The pilot successfully took off on runway 25 and at approximately 500 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot turned the aircraft back towards the departure runway. While turning to line up with the grass along side the runway, the aircraft "sank out of the turn, collapsed left gear leg and bent left wing - landing in soft grass." The airplane came to a stop in the grass with it's nose on the ground and tail in the air. The pilot exited the airplane and pulled the tail back down. The pilot reported that he believed the malfunction was a "fuel flow fault." Approximately 12 gallons of automotive fuel was on board at the time. Federal Aviation Administration airmen records indicated that the pilot does not hold airframe or powerplant mechanic certificates. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the day before the accident, the engine experienced a loss of power "from apparent fuel starvation." On the day of the accident, the pilot reported that before the flight he inspected and modified the fuel system. The pilot stated that he "installed fuel hose directly from tank to carb, bypassing gascolator and fuel flow sensor." The pilot then ran the engine at full power for five minutes before takeoff. The pilot successfully took off on runway 25 and at approximately 500 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot turned the aircraft back towards the departure runway. While turning to line up with the grass along side the runway, the aircraft "sank out of the turn, collapsed left gear leg and bent left wing - landing in soft grass." The airplane came to a stop in the grass with it's nose on the ground and tail in the air. The pilot exited the airplane and pulled the tail back down. The pilot reported that he believed the malfunction was a "fuel flow fault." Approximately 12 gallons of automotive fuel was on board at the time. Federal Aviation Administration airmen records indicated that the pilot does not hold airframe or powerplant mechanic certificates. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45BH-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N T515 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Billings/Humbyrd Thorpe T-18 - Registry model: [Billings/Humbyrd THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/billings-humbyrd-thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510P4) (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: T515 - Airframe hours: 763 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Benjamin H. Savage - Registered owner: Savage Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2003 - Departed: L66, CORONA, CA - Destination: RIR, RIVERSIDE/RUBID, CA - Airport: L66, Corona Muni, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20070604009529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070604009529A), Jun 4, 2007: Amtr THORPT18, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Engine started to sputter and lose power during takeoff climb. During attempt to turn around and land back at the departure airport the aircraft stalled… ## Other investigations on N45BH (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX88LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA315), Sep 10, 1988: Billings/Humbyrd Thorp T-18 (N45BH), Corona, CA, minor damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.