Pilot Debrief

HENDERSON THORP T 18 near Troy, MO — 2018-02-08

Final reportCEN18LA095
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Date
2018-02-08
Location
Troy, MO, USA
Airport
MU89
Aircraft
HENDERSON THORP T 18
Registration
N600HH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while landing in crosswind conditions.

NTSB narrative

During a personal flight, the private pilot reported that he made one pass over the runway, which was oriented east to west, and noted a crosswind from the southwest. During final approach, the pilot extended the flaps "one notch" to add "a little speed" to compensate for the crosswind. The pilot then looked down at the instrument panel to check the rate of descent; when he looked back outside, he saw a small tree limb near the airplane's right wing tip. The pilot made a left control input, but the right wing tip impacted the tree, and the airplane turned slightly to the right. The airplane impacted several other trees and then nosed down into the ground. The pilot reported no airplane mechanical malfunctions or failures.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained better visual awareness during final approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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