# NTSB SEA86FA165: Thorp T-18, N2056, Richland, WA, July 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1986, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Richland, WA
- Coordinates: 46.249275, -119.289619 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2493&lon=-119.2896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA165

## 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
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT TIME OF MISHAP, ACFT PRESUMED TO BE IN RT-HAND APPROACH TO LAND IN 20-KT, 40 DEGREE RT CROSSWIND. WITNESSES FIRST OBSERVED ACFT DESCENDING VERTICALLY, OUT OF CONTROL, IN AN AREA CONSISTENT WITH THE 90 DEGREE APPROACH POSITION. EVIDENCE INDICATES ACFT CONTACTED SOFT, SANDY TERRAIN IN VERTICAL ATTITUDE, THEN FELL OVER TO UPRIGHT FLAT ATTITUDE BEFORE INTENSE POST-IMPACT FIRE INCINERATED MOST OF AIRFRAME. NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. SCENARIO INDICATIVE OF STEEP TURN TO CORRECT CROSSWIND-INDUCED CLOSE-IN PATTERN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2056](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2056-1988-05-03), registration cancelled 1988-05-03, S/N 474 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Kerr THORP T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/kerr-thorp-t-18) (registry code 8951027) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 474
- Airframe hours: 650
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-GPO 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald A. Mccune
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1986, 9 hours before
- Departed: S21, SUN RIVER, OR
- Destination: RLD, RICHLAND, WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RLD, Richland, Wa

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSC, 8 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 19860711032059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860711032059A), Jul 11, 1986: Amtrth THORPT18, Richland, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Approaching an uncontrolled airport to land, ground observer reported aircraft in a spin prior to impact.

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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