Amateur-built THORP T-18 accident near West, Texas, May 24, 2000
On May 24, 2000 at about 6:26 pm local time, a amateur-built THORP T-18, registered N856CW, was destroyed in an accident near West, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of control for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 24, 2000 · about 6:26 pm local time
- Place
- West, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built THORP T-18
- Registration
- N856CW · no longer on the register · serial 379
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amateur built airplane's fuel tank was topped off with 6 gallons of 100LL fuel and the airplane departed on a cross-country flight. According to radar data, the airplane was southbound and entered a descent. While descending through 2,300 feet the airplane executed a 180 degree turn to a northbound heading, initiated a climb, and ascended to approximately 4,000 feet. Subsequently, the airplane disappeared from radar. Following an 8-day search, the airplane was located in a crater measuring 10 feet in depth. Both wings exhibited compression from the leading edge aft. Efforts to recover the engine were ceased at a depth of 12 feet, and the engine was not recovered. There was no significant weather near the accident site at the time of the accident. An autopsy was performed and assessment of natural disease was precluded by extensive injuries and decomposition. Toxicological testing was negative for alcohol and drugs.
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: 1,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FTS Fort Worth TX at 5:00 pm
- Destination: VCT Victoria TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from ACT, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.