Thorp T-18 accident near Gilmer, Texas, August 21, 2012
On August 21, 2012 at about 10:40 pm local time, a Thorp T-18, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N2443, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Gilmer, Texas (Gilmer Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The disconnected metering unit fuel line, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 21, 2012 · about 10:40 pm local time
- Place
- Gilmer, Texas · Gilmer Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Thorp T-18, amateur-built · all T-18s on the register
- Registration
- N2443 · no longer on the register · serial 536
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to wooded terrain. Examination of the engine revealed the fuel line from the fuel pump to the metering unit was disconnected at the metering unit. This disconnection would result in a loss of engine power. No additional anomalies were noted during the airframe and engine examination.
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
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Malfunction
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 11,000 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 8,000 as pilot in command; 300 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 10, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 780 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 1, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors, Inc. IO-346-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JXI Gilmer TX at 10:40 pm
- Destination: DTO Denton TX
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.