Amateur-built T-18 accident near Willcox, Arizona, August 26, 2010
On August 26, 2010 at about 4:20 pm local time, a amateur-built T-18, registered N467JF, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Willcox, Arizona (Cochise County 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 pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during a steep turn and at a low altitude in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2010 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Willcox, Arizona · Cochise County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built T-18
- Registration
- N467JF · registry record · serial 467
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was observed in the traffic pattern, about 500 feet above ground level, when it made a steep left turn to enter the downwind leg. The turn continued as the airplane entered a left descending spiral until it impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The Pilot Operating Handbook for the airplane indicated that the airplane has an abrupt stall with a tendency to drop a wing, especially if the airplane is in an uncoordinated turn during the stall. There is very little warning preceding the stall. Stall recovery can be quickly affected by releasing back pressure on the stick; however, a secondary stall may occur if the stick is brought back abruptly after recovery without sufficient airspeed. It is likely that during the initial steep turn, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall from which the pilot was unable to recover at the low altitude.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 500 hours in all
- Last flight review: June 11, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYF San Diego CA
- Destination: P33 Willcox AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 6,095 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 045° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°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.
Other NTSB records under N467JF the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.