LAX04LA033

Factual narrative

On November 2, 2003, about 1200 Pacific standard time, a Davidson-Thorpe T18, N66MY, veered off the runway and nosed over at Harris Ranch Airport, Coalinga, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Santa Maria, California, about 1100, en route to Fresno, California, with a stop at Harris Ranch for lunch. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported to a sheriff's department officer that during final approach to the runway, the airplane's airspeed was faster than normal. After touchdown, the airplane bounced down the runway, and began to veer to the left. The pilot experienced a loss of control, and the airplane continued off the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. A pilot in the landing pattern behind the accident airplane reported witnessing the airplane land on runway 32. After touchdown, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The right wing contacted the ground, and then the airplane nosed over. A California Highway Patrol officer responded to the scene, and he estimated that the winds were from 140 degrees at 5 knots. Despite repeated attempts by the Safety Board investigator, the pilot failed to submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The airplane veered off the runway during landing rollout and nosed over. A pilot witness reported that during final approach to the runway, the airplane's airspeed was faster than normal. After touchdown, the airplane bounced down the runway, and began to veer to the left. The pilot experienced a loss of control, and the airplane continued off the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Police officers at the scene estimated that the winds were from 140 degrees at 5 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12