N86TJ – CONRAD THEODORE J THORP T-18 – 2010-10-13 NTSB Accident Report

On October 13, 2010, a Conrad Theodore J THORP T-18 (N86TJ) was involved in an incident near Fredericksburg, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The malfunction of the throttle clamp, which resulted in the pilot's inability to control the engine's power setting.

While flying the downwind leg for a full-stop landing, the pilot reduced engine power to slow the airplane for landing. When the pilot advanced the throttle, the engine did not respond. The pilot turned the airplane immediately for the runway. Due to the "tighter" pattern and increased airspeed, the airplane floated during the landing. When the airplane touched down on the runway, there was insufficient distance remaining for the airplane to stop on the runway. The airplane departed the end of the runway and the pilot ground looped the airplane to stay on the airport property. Substantial damage was sustained to both wings. An examination of the engine revealed that the clamp securing the throttle controller end was allowing the cable to slip freely.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN11CA030. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N86TJ.