ATL94LA118

Witnesses stated that the experimental aircraft departed runway 34. During the turn from crosswind to downwind, the aircraft entered a steep left turn, the nose dropped, and the aircraft impacted the terrain just west of the airfield. The witnesses stated that at the time of the departure, there was a thunderstorm in progress approximately 1/2 mile off the departure end of runway 34.

On June 10, 1994, at 1510 eastern daylight time, a Monnett Experimental Aircraft, Incorporated, MONI, N112MX, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during take off at Asheville, North Carolina. The private pilot was fatally injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight.

Witnesses stated that after take off on runway 34, the aircraft made a steep turn from cross wind to downwind, in an apparent effort to avoid a thunder storm approximately 1/2 mile off the departure end of the runway. The aircraft then nosed down into the terrain.

Examination of the aircraft wreckage revealed that there was continuity of the flight controls. There was also continuity of the engine drive train. No evidence of structural failure prior to impact was noted.

A post mortem examination of the pilot was conducted by Lee M. Sigmon, M.D., Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The examination report stated that the cause of death was hemo/pneumothorax secondary to multiple rib fractures secondary to airplane crash. A toxicological examination of the pilot was conducted by the same office. The report of that examination stated that ethanol and other volatiles were not detected.