Billings/Humbyrd THORPE T-18 N45BH

Summary

On 4 June 2007 at about 17:45 local time, a Billings/Humbyrd THORPE T-18 registered N45BH, operated by Benjamin H. Savage, was involved in an accident near Corona, California, United States. One person was 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

4 June 2007 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Corona, California, United States

Nearest airport

Corona Muni (L66)

Coordinates

33.8975, -117.6022

Aircraft

Billings/Humbyrd THORPE T-18

Registration

N45BH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Benjamin H. Savage

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Corona → Riverside/Rubid

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA07CA144

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a fuel system malfunction. The pilot's incorrect maintenance modification to the fuel system and continued operation with known deficiencies were factors.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the day before the accident, the engine experienced a loss of power "from apparent fuel starvation." On the day of the accident, the pilot reported that before the flight he inspected and modified the fuel system. The pilot stated that he "installed fuel hose directly from tank to carb, bypassing gascolator and fuel flow sensor." The pilot then ran the engine at full power for five minutes before takeoff. The pilot successfully took off on runway 25 and at approximately 500 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot turned the aircraft back towards the departure runway. While turning to line up with the grass along side the runway, the aircraft "sank out of the turn, collapsed left gear leg and bent left wing - landing in soft grass." The airplane came to a stop in the grass with it's nose on the ground and tail in the air. The pilot exited the airplane and pulled the tail back down. The pilot reported that he believed the malfunction was a "fuel flow fault." Approximately 12 gallons of automotive fuel was on board at the time. Federal Aviation Administration airmen records indicated that the pilot does not hold airframe or powerplant mechanic certificates.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.