# NTSB CHI85LA180: Mitchell Monnett Moni, N5625J, Athens, MI, April 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1985, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Athens, MI
- Coordinates: 42.080032, -85.230903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0800&lon=-85.2309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA180

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - spoiler retraction - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - not possible
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT OF THE HOME-BUILT/POWERED GLIDER INITIATED A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT RETRACT THE SPOILERS WHEN HE BEGAN THE TAKEOFF PORTION OF THE TOUCH-&-GO. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF INTO GROUND EFFECT, BUT THE LEFT WING CONTACTED A RWY LIGHT AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT THEN HIT THE GROUND LEFT WING 1ST & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5625J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5625J), registered now, S/N 265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MITCHELL MONNETT MONI (MONNETT MO)
- Registry model: [Mitchell Ronald L MONNETT MONI](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitchell-ronald-l-monnett-moni) (registry code 056594T) (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: 265
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: KFM 107E reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald L. Mitchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1985, 3 hours before
- Airport: 9C2, David'S, runway 27, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 70 total, 3 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850427016829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850427016829A), Apr 27, 1985: Amtr MONI, Athens, MI, Substantial damage. Added power but failed to retract spoilers. Wing struck runway light and contacted ground with resultant ground loop

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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