Waxenfelter THORP T-18 N18WX

Summary

On 12 April 1998 at about 00:20 local time, a Waxenfelter THORP T-18 registered N18WX was involved in an accident near Morrilton, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 April 1998 at 00:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Morrilton, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Petit Jean Park (MPJ)

Coordinates

35.1493, -92.7395

Aircraft

Waxenfelter THORP T-18

Registration

N18WX

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Russellville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA181

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During landing roll on runway 20, the aircraft abruptly veered left and departed the runway impacting a tree. The pilot reported that 'very little' cross wind correction was required during the landing. During the landing roll, he held the tail off until it came down 'normally.' A short distance after the tail wheel touched down the aircraft started to veer to the left. 'Normal amount of correction (right rudder) was totally ineffective.' The aircraft departed the left side of the runway with 'full right rudder, right brake locked, and stick full back.' The aircraft was recovering to the right when it slid into a tree. The pilot reported that the wind was from 170 degrees at 4 to 5 knots. His examination of the aircraft after the event did not reveal any mechanical problems with the flight controls. The pilot had accumulated at total of 99 hours in his tailwheel equipped airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.