Amateur-built Thorp T-18 accident near Wellington, Florida, August 19, 2007
On August 19, 2007 at about 1:28 pm local time, a amateur-built Thorp T-18, registered N6GN, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wellington, Florida (Wellington Aero Club airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to a partially blocked intake manifold and water contamination of the fuel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 2007 · about 1:28 pm local time
- Place
- Wellington, Florida · Wellington Aero Club · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Thorp T-18
- Registration
- N6GN · no longer on the register · serial 364
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses stated that they observed the airplane in level flight, about 300 feet above the ground, when the engine quit. The airplane was then observed executing a left turn in an attempt to return to the airport. During the left turn, the airplane began to descend at a rapid rate, then impacted the ground. Examination of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration found that the engine rotated freely and had continuity through the accessory section. Water was observed in various portions of the fuel system, with the most significant amount of water found in the electric fuel pump. The foam air filter element was found lodged in the inlet of the throttle body, which would have obstructed air flow into the engine causing it to quit. Normally, the filter element would be positioned at the opening of the induction system intake. The pilot’s father indicated that the pilot had previous problems starting the engine when it was at operating temperatures.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 200 hours in all; 40 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 884.8 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,520 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FD38 Wellington FL at 1:28 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,400 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from PBI, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.