# NTSB ATL85FMG01: Mcclellan J. Grote Dragonfly, N5275U, Morrisville, NC, February 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1985, 10:51 local (15:51 UTC)
- Place: Morrisville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.830341, -78.830924 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8303&lon=-78.8309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FMG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FMG01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - loose (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE OWNER/BUILDER HAD PREPARED THE ACFT FOR ITS 1ST FLT. THIS PREPARATION INCLUDED HIGH SPEED TAXI TESTS, A BRAKE LINE REPAIR & ENG ADJUSTMENTS. TWO 17.6 LB BARBELL WEIGHTS WERE TIED TO THE WING LIFT BULKHEAD WITH 5/16 INCH HEMP ROPE FOR PURPOSES OF WEIGHT & BALANCE. A DECISION WAS MADE FOR THE OWNER'S FATHER, AN EXPERIENCED PLT, TO FLY THE INITIAL TEST FLT. THE PLT MADE A HIGH SPEED RUN WITH AN OPTION TO TAKEOFF & ABORTED WHEN THE ENG DEVELOPED A MISS. HE THEN PERFORMED A SATISFACTORY RUN-UP & TOOK OFF ON THE NEXT ATTEMPT. AFTER TAKING OFF, THE PLT REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN & TURNED ONTO A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 23. THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER & CRASHED IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT. AN EXAM OF THE FLT CONTROL SYS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. ALL FRACTURES SHOWED EVIDENCE OF OVERLOAD FAILURE. THE BALLAST WEIGHTS WERE NOT SECURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL AERONAUTICAL PRACTICES. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THEY COULD HAVE COME LOOSE & JAMMED THE FLT CONTROLS OR SHIFTED THE CG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5275U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5275U-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 9-84-573, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCCLELLAN J. GROTE DRAGONFLY
- Registry model: [Grote Mcclellan J DRAGONFLY](https://openairdocs.org/model/grote-mcclellan-j-dragonfly) (registry code 05675YM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 9-84-573
- Engines: Volkswagen 60-2DM/1834CC 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Mcclellan J. Grote
- Registered owner: Mcclellan J. Grote
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 13, 1984, 0 hours before
- Airport: RDU, Raleigh/Durham, runway 23, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,819 total, 2 in this make and model, 130 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850222005039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850222005039A), Feb 22, 1985: Amtr DRAGONFLY, Morrisville, NC, Destroyed. Power reduced for descent on test flight and aircraft dived to ground. Ballast may have shifted jamming controls.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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