Cecil THORP T-18 N856CW

Summary

On 24 May 2000 at about 18:26 local time, a Cecil THORP T-18 registered N856CW was involved in an accident near West, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 May 2000 at 18:26

Classification

Accident

Location

West, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.8004, -97.0894

Aircraft

Cecil THORP T-18

Registration

N856CW

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Worth → Victoria

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW00LA169

1 person died.

The loss of control for an undetermined reason.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The amateur built airplane's fuel tank was topped off with 6 gallons of 100LL fuel and the airplane departed on a cross-country flight. According to radar data, the airplane was southbound and entered a descent. While descending through 2,300 feet the airplane executed a 180 degree turn to a northbound heading, initiated a climb, and ascended to approximately 4,000 feet. Subsequently, the airplane disappeared from radar. Following an 8-day search, the airplane was located in a crater measuring 10 feet in depth. Both wings exhibited compression from the leading edge aft. Efforts to recover the engine were ceased at a depth of 12 feet, and the engine was not recovered. There was no significant weather near the accident site at the time of the accident. An autopsy was performed and assessment of natural disease was precluded by extensive injuries and decomposition. Toxicological testing was negative for alcohol and drugs.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.