N467JFFinney Thorp T-18 · 1970

On August 26, 2010, about 0920 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Finney Thorp, T-18, N467JF, descended into terrain following an in-flight loss of control while entering the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at the Cochise County Airport (P33) Willcox, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal cross country flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from San Diego, California, at an undetermined time with an intended destination of P33.

A witness, who was a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) that was flying in an airplane about 500 feet above the accident airplane, reported observing the airplane entering the traffic pattern while flying about 500 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane was observed entering a steep left turn to the downwind leg for runway 03 and subsequently entered a left descending spiral until it impacted the ground in a nose low attitude. Another witness, located at the airport, observed the accident airplane’s engine power up and the airplane initiate a left turn around midfield.

Personnel monitoring the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) reported hearing an unintelligible distress radio transmission around the time of the accident.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane’s wings were bent and the forward portion of the fuselage was crushed aft. No evidence of a preimpact engine malfunction was noted. All of the flight control surfaces remained attached to their respective mounts with the exception of the right flap which was only attached by the outboard hinge and exhibited impact damage. A separation was found in the left aileron's push-pull control tube which separated it from the control stick bell crack.

The left aileron push-pull control tube rod end bearing and jam nut where the separation was observed was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Materials laboratory for further analysis. According to a Senior Metallurgist, optical examination of the fracture surface revealed that the separation of the aileron push-pull control tube rod end and jam nut was consistent with an overstress load. The Senior Metallurgist also observed no indication of progressive cracking or significant corrosion around the fracture surface. The surrounding structure housing the left aileron push-pull control tube rod end bearing and jam nut was buckled near the point of separation. An examination report is contained in the public docket for this accident.

The Cochise County Office of the Medical Examiner reported that the cause of death to the pilot was a result of multiple blunt force injuries.

Toxicological samples were sent to the Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The examination was negative for all tested substances.

The Pilot Operating Handbook for the T-18 indicated that the airplane has an abrupt stall with a tendency to drop a wing, especially if uncoordinated during the stall. There is very little warning preceding the stall. Stall recovery can be quickly effected by releasing back pressure on the stick, however a secondary stall may occur when the stick is brought back after recovery from the initial stall. If the stick is brought back too abruptly, without sufficient airspeed, a secondary stall will occur.