Amateur-built THORP T-18 accident near Lakeland, Florida, March 19, 1986
On March 19, 1986 at about 10:25 pm local time, a amateur-built THORP T-18, registered N83GD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lakeland, Florida (Lakeland 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
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 19, 1986 · about 10:25 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeland, Florida · Lakeland · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built THORP T-18
- Registration
- N83GD · no longer on the register · serial 832
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WITNESSES OBSERVED BLACK SMOKE TRAILING FROM THE HOMEBUILT ACFT DURING TAKEOFF & INITIAL CLIMB. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO AN ESTIMATED ALT OF 150 TO 200 FT WHERE ENG SOUND CEASED & THE PROP STOPPED. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO ATTEMPT A LEFT TURN BACK TOWARD THE RWY. DURING THE TURN, THE NOSE CAME UP & WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT STALLED ABOUT ONE-HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN & CRASHED TO THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE COCKPIT REVEALED THAT THE HAND ACTUATED FUEL PRIMER WAS IN THE UNLOCKED & OUT POSITION. A REVIEW OF THE ACFT'S CHECKLISTS FAILED TO REVEAL ANY REFERENCE TO ENSURING THAT THE PRIMER IS IN & LOCKED AFTER ENGINE START.
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 instructor, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,700 hours in all; 11 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,700 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: HWO Hollywood FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from TPA, 28 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.