# NTSB ATL95LA116: Smith Monnett Moni, N3257W, Cheraw, SC, June 21, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 21, 1995, 19:04 local (23:04 UTC) - Place: Cheraw, SC - Coordinates: 34.690849, -79.890968 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6908&lon=-79.8910&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3577/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA116 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for unknown reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed, which resulted in impact with the ground while the airplane was in a stalled condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis WITNESS REPORTS INDICATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING. THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNED DOWNWIND TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY. AS THE TURN TO THE BASE LEG WAS MADE, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN. IT IMPACTED IN A VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT WAS INCONCLUSIVE. ANOTHER PILOT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, HE AND THE PILOT DISCUSSED THE FUEL/OIL MIXTURE THAT WAS BEING USED FOR THE TWO CYCLE ENGINE. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT THE FUEL MIXTURE HE WAS USING MAY HAVE BEEN TOO LEAN. ## Factual narrative On June 21, 1995, at 1904 eastern daylight time, a George L.Smith Monnett Moni, N3257W, collided with trees and terrain following a reported loss of engine power near Cheraw, South Carolina. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The homebuilt, experimental aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated at the Cheraw Municipal Airport, about 1904. A witness reported that the aircraft was on the downwind leg at the Cheraw Airport, and had been airborne about three minutes. She heard the engine sputtering prior to the crash. The airplane turned toward the airport and "nose dived." She said the engine was not running. Another witness was airborne, having departed prior to the accident pilot so they could fly together. He reported seeing the airplane enter an uncontrolled descent and impact the ground. A photograph of the wreckage, provided by the FAA inspector who visited the site, indicated aftward accordion-like damage from wing tip to wing tip. The nose of the airplane was crushed rearward, along the longitudinal axis of the fuselage. After the accident, the airborne witness stated that he and the pilot had a discussion, prior to the flight, regarding the fuel/oil mixture for the two cycle engine. The pilot had stated that he believed that he had been using a mixture that was too lean. A local mechanic inspected the airplane following the accident. He reported that the ignition system and flight controls checked satisfactorily. The spark plugs were clean. No fuel was discovered in the engine because the fuel tank had ruptured. He was unable to make any other determinations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3257W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3257W-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N 5, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMITH MONNETT MONI (MONNETT MO) - Registry model: [Smith George L MONI](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-george-l-moni) (registry code 05659S5) (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: 5 - Airframe hours: 146 - Engines: KFM 107E reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mcduffie, Wade H. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 47J - Airport: 47J, Cheraw Municipal, runway 7, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,710 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FLO, 35 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 19950621039059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950621039059A), Jun 21, 1995: Amtr MONI, Cheraw, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost power on downwind. Stalled and crashed. Possible fuel oil mixture for two cycle engine too lean. Low airspeed. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.