# NTSB ATL94LA118: Monnett Moni, N112MX, Ashville, NC, June 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1994, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Ashville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.589897, -82.560897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5899&lon=-82.5609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3399/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA118

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE THUNDERSTORM OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

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.

## Factual narrative

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N112MX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N112MX-2014-12-19), registration cancelled 2014-12-19, S/N 003, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MONNETT MONI
- Registry model: [Monnett Expermtl Acft MONI](https://openairdocs.org/model/monnett-expermtl-acft-moni) (registry code 056591P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 003
- Engines: AMA EXPERIMENTAL reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rogers, Ted
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: AVL, Asheville Regional, runway 34, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 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 19940610014889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940610014889A), Jun 10, 1994: Amtr MONI, Asheville, NC, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Made steep climbing turn after takeoff to avoid a thunderstorm half a mile from runway. Stalled and dived to ground

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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