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Tue, Sep 27, 2011

Thorp T-18 Down In Michigan, Pilot Fatally Injured

Pilots Were Heading To Breakfast, Fog May Have Been A Factor

A Thorp T-18 flown by its owner went down on approach to Plainwell Municipal Airport (61D) in Michigan Friday morning. Witnesses said that the aircraft apparently impacted a Fed-Ex semi truck traveling on U.S. 131 just a short distance from the runway threshold. The pilot was fatally injured.

Thorp T-18 File Photo

FAA records indicate the 1978 Thorp was owned by William Beswick Jr. of Holland, MI. Television station WXMI indicates that he and a friend, Ken Dannenburg, were flying their airplanes from Tulip City airport (KBIV) to the Fly Inn Restaurant at 61D, as they did "once or twice a week," according to restaurant employees. Local pilots said at the time of the accident, there was a brief period of heavy fog that covered the airport, and that may have been a contributing factor in the accident.

There is no published instrument approach at 61D. Video shot by the station shows the substantially-damaged airplane down near the runway, its N-number clearly visible on the vertical stab. The accident is under investigation.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

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