Ferdon THORP T 18 N25VP

Summary

On 20 December 2014 at about 20:30 local time, a Ferdon THORP T 18 registered N25VP, operated by Bashforty Glenn, was involved in an accident near San Rafael, 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

20 December 2014 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

San Rafael, California, United States

Nearest airport

San Rafael (CA35)

Coordinates

38.0100, -122.5000

Aircraft

Ferdon THORP T 18

Registration

N25VP

Category

Airplane

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

Bashforty Glenn

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Rafael → Novato

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR15CA066

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident are an inadequate modification to the seat position, and the pilot's failure to check flight controls for freedom and correct movement.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that prior to the flight in the experimental airplane, he unbolted and rebolted the pilot's seat from its middle position to the forward position. He did not check to see if the flight control stick movement would be restricted in this new configuration. During the takeoff roll, the airplane would not rotate when he moved the flight control stick aft. Not realizing the seat prevented the flight control stick movement to the full aft position, the pilot adjusted the elevator trim and the airplane subsequently lifted off, however, it would not climb. The pilot then aborted the takeoff; however, the airplane did not have sufficient distance to stop. It departed the runway surface and traversed through a field, impacted trees, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, rudder, and vertical stabilator. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.