Aircraft: Thorp T-18. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Plainwell, Mich. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: The Thorp was the second plane in a flight of two on approach to the destination.
Visibility on approach was about three miles. The pilot in the first airplane stated that the Thorp pilot asked him to keep up his speed on final. A witness on the ground said the second airplane was close to the first airplane and that both planes appeared low on approach.
There was a road bisecting the final approach to the runway. The second airplane hit a semitrailer on the road.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a semitrailer along the approach path.
NTSB Identification: CEN11FA663
This September 2011 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it isintended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
