Thorp T-18 accident near Kent, WA
On May 9, 2008, a Thorp T-18 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Kent, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 9, 2008
- Place
- Kent, WA
- Aircraft
- Thorp T-18 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.337°N, 122.103°W
- NTSB ID
- 20080515X00672
Official records · SEA08LA127
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 9, 2008, at 1645 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Thorp T-18, N8613A, collided with a residence following a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff from Crest Airpark, Kent, Washington. The pilot, who was also the registered owner of the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. The sole occupant of the residence was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. A witness reported his home is located about three-quarters of the way down runway 33. He had stepped out of his back door and heard the airplane departing. Initially, the engine sound was smooth. As it continued, the witness heard the engine running rough and when the airplane flew passed his hangar at about 300 feet above the runway, the witness saw two puffs of white smoke. The airplane appeared to have adequate airspeed and was still climbing, although the engine was cutting out. The engine then cut out completely and the airplane continued straight ahead for about 1 second. The airplane then entered a slow turn to the right, and when it had turned approximately 160 degrees, the right wing stalled and the airplane rolled into a spin. The airplane went out of view of the witness in a nose-down attitude of approximately 70 degrees. A friend of the pilot was interviewed and indicated that he had known the pilot for 40 years. He had flown the accident airplane many times and he felt that i
Probable cause
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were the lack of a suitable landing area and the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in response to the loss of engine power.
More accidents in WA
- Dehavilland DHC-3, Sep 4, 2022
- Cessna 208B, Oct 8, 2007
- Cessna 172P, Dec 7, 1991
- Piper PA-32-260, Jul 29, 2001
- Beech A60, Nov 21, 1992
Browse: Washington
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
