Amateur-built THORP T18C accident near So. Lake Tahoe, California, June 13, 1993
On June 13, 1993 at about 3:45 pm local time, a amateur-built THORP T18C, registered N794PT, was destroyed in an accident near So. Lake Tahoe, California. 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 TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 13, 1993 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- So. Lake Tahoe, California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built THORP T18C
- Registration
- N794PT · no longer on the register · serial 794
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane experienced a loss of engine power and the pilot initiated an emergency descent for a forced landing. A line service technician at a nearby airport reported hearing a pilot broadcast that he was at 8,500 feet (about 2,200 feet above the airport's elevation). The pilot indicated that he did not believe he could reach the airport. Witnesses observed the descending airplane. One witness saw the airplane between 400 and 500 feet above ground (water) level approaching the shore line and rolling into a left bank turn. The bank angle increased until the airplane was upside down. Thereafter the airplane descended in a near vertical nose low attitude until colliding into the lake, about 45 yards from shore. The crash site was about 5 miles from the airport. During the examination of the engine and propeller, no evidence was found of any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Because of impact damage, not all of the accessories could be tested. The odor of fuel and a petroleum slick was observed in the crash site area. The reason for the loss of engine power was not established.
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: airline transport pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 33,000 hours in all; 30 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 390 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 8, 1993; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,575 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PTV Porterville CA at 2:30 pm
- Destination: 004 Carson City NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:48 pm from TVL, 4 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.