Aircraft May Have Become Airborne With Flight Controls
Secured
The crash of an experimental weight-shift aircraft at the
Torrance, CA airport (TOA) last week critically injured the pilot,
and took the life of his passenger.
According to a report sent in to ANN by friends of pilot Jon
Thornburgh, the 64-year-old instructor and his passenger,
33-year-old Ryan Mouritsen, were preparing Thornburgh's trike for
flight February 26 when the aircraft's engine unexpectedly revved
up, causing the craft to become airborne before its flight controls
were released from a secured "parked" configuration.
The reportedly trike climbed steeply to an altitude of about 100
feet before spiraling into the ground, critically injuring
Thornburgh and fatally injuring Mouritsen. The Daily Breeze reports
Anshul Mishra, owner of Torrance-based Benbow Aviation, witnessed
the incident and rushed to the scene, located between the airport's
parallel runways. Mishra and friends pulled the two men from the
wreckage.
Mishra said Mouritsen "was in bad shape. When I laid him down,
his mouth was full of blood. (Thornburgh) asked not once, but three
times, 'How is the student? How is the student?'"
Mouritsen later succumbed to his injuries after being taken to
County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Reports indicate Thornburgh
suffered a cracked pelvis and a broken leg. His condition has since
been upgraded, and is no longer considered critical.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said that
initial examination of the wreckage showed the incident may have
been caused by a mechanical problem. "There's some indication that
the throttle might have gotten stuck," Gregor said.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are
investigating.
(Editor's Note:
From 2002 through 2005, Thornburgh (right) was a frequent
contributor to ANN on matters related to weight-shift aircraft, and
the then-emerging light sport aircraft rules. ANN wishes him a
speedy recovery, and extends our condolences to the family of the
victim.)
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 426MT
Make/Model: EXP Description:
TWIN 503SL GLIDER
Date: 02/27/2009 Time: 0508
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury:
Serious Mid Air: N
Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: TORRANCE State: CA Country:
US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT WHILE TAXIING, BECAME AIRBORNE AND CRASHED OFF THE
RUNWAY,
TORRANCE, CA
INJURY DATA Total
Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat:
0 Ser:
1 Min:
0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat:
0 Ser:
1 Min:
0 Unk:
# Grnd:
Fat: 0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
WEATHER: KTOA 270350Z 00000KT 15SM SCT020 12/10 A3013
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase:
Taxi Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: LONG BEACH, CA
(WP05)
Entry date: 02/27/2009
NTSB Final Report: Cozy Cub
See All