Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot reported that the engine was running roughly after he departed on the local flight; after troubleshooting to no avail, he decided to return to the airport. He stated that he "mistakenly landed in a pasture, short of the runway," and the airplane struck a tree. Although the pilot reported that the fuel line was not feeding fuel to the engine, he also reported that he believed he ran out of fuel; examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of fuel. Because of the pilot's belief that he ran out of fuel and the lack of evidence of fuel at the accident site, it is likely that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA124 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 14, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cleburne, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Blackwood Airpark (TX46)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built THORPE T 18
- N-number
- N118RG
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2008
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.