Thorp T-18 accident near Plainwell, MI
On September 23, 2011, a Thorp T-18 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Plainwell, MI. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 23, 2011
- Place
- Plainwell, MI
- Aircraft
- Thorp T-18 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.468°N, 85.648°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110923X12310
Official records · CEN11FA663
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 23, 2011, about 0853 eastern daylight time, N54WB, an experimental amateur-built Thorp T-18, owned and operated by the private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a semi-trailer and terrain while on approach to runway 9 at the Plainwell Municipal Airport (61D), near Plainwell, Michigan. A ground fire occurred. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The flight originated from the Tulip City Airport, near Holland, Michigan, about 0830. The accident airplane was the second airplane in a flight of two airplanes destined for 61D. The pilot in the first airplane stated that there were no radio transmissions by the accident pilot of any mechanical malfunctions and that the accident pilot asked him to keep up his speed on final. He stated that there was a haze layer that he had to fly through which was located about 400 feet above ground level. The haze layer was localized around the river and airport. He stated that the visibility under the haze layer was about three miles. A witness, working on a bridge near the accident site, reported to the Michigan Highway Police that he observed that the second plane was close to the first airplane. He stated that both airplanes were “quite” low on approach. He indicated that the accident airplane impacted the semitrailer and “flipped” into the ditch embankment west of runway 9. Another witness who was in a southbound vehicle saw the airplane impact the semitrailer. This witness indicated the visibility was “good” and that he
Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain clearance from a semitrailer along the approach path.
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Browse: Michigan
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
