Amateur-built THORP T 18 accident near Troy, Missouri, February 8, 2018
On February 8, 2018 at about 5:52 pm local time, a 1974 amateur-built THORP T 18, registered N600HH, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Troy, Missouri (Woodland Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while landing in crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2018 · about 5:52 pm local time
- Place
- Troy, Missouri · Woodland Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built THORP T 18 UNDESIGNAT, built 1974
- Registration
- N600HH · registry record · serial 600
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Crosswind correction › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 682 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 10, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,465 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 2,700 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1H0 St Louis MO at 4:30 pm
- Destination: 1H0 St Louis MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 1,750 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 41°F (5°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.39 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from KFYG, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.