Green Gary E THORP T-18 accident near Pahokee, FL

On December 1, 2012, a Green Gary E THORP T-18 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Pahokee, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

December 1, 2012

Place

Pahokee, FL

Aircraft

Green Gary E THORP T-18 · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

26.772°N, 80.669°W

NTSB ID

20121203X00941

Official records · ERA13FA071

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• ATC 3 - Factual Report of Group Chairman: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC 3 - NATCA Party Form: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC accident package excerpts: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Miscellaneous-Pilot and Air Traffic controller guide to wake turbulence (section 2 FAA): Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 1, 2012, about 1319 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur built Thorp T-18, N118GG, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it broke up in flight over Pahokee, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), Pompano Beach, Florida, at 1259. According to family members, the pilot was enroute to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida. The pilot was overdue on his arrival, and an alert notice was issued. During the search, an emergency distress signal was received from the airplane's emergency locator transmitter, and the local authorities located the airplane the following day at 0610. According to information obtained from the West Palm Beach Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), at 1313, the pilot contacted Palm Beach Approach on frequency 124.6 at 6,500 feet msl and on a course heading of approximately 335 degrees. Palm Beach Approach issued the pilot the current altimeter setting for Palm Beach. The pilot was then issued a traffic advisory at 6,500 feet msl, and the pilot advised that he was climbing to 8,500 feet msl. At 1315, Palm Beach Approach instructed the pilot to maintain 7,500 feet msl and advised of traffic at his 12 o'clock, 5 miles southeast-bound. The airplane was identified as a Boeing 757, and a wake turbulence caution alert was issued to the pilot. Radar da

Probable cause

The descent and overstress of the airplane during the descent, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.