# NTSB LAX85LA353: Mike Stone Moni, N97MS, Byron, CA, August 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1985, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Byron, CA
- Coordinates: 37.84914, -121.620246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8491&lon=-121.6202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA353
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA353

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - flutter (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, other
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON THE INITIAL TEST FLT, THE AMATUER-BUILT R. M. STONE MONI ACFT CRASHED NEAR BYRON, CA. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE FLIGHT THE ACFT BEGAN TO 'FLUTTER', FOLLOWED BY SEPARATION OF THE CANOPY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ACFT ENTERED INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPIN. THE PLT EXITED THE ACFTAND PARACHUTED SAFELY. THE ACFT WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N97MS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MIKE STONE MONI
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Mike Stone
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA
- Airport: CCR, Concord

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVK, 20 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 19850818076119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850818076119A), Aug 18, 1985: Amtr MONI, Bryon, CA, Destroyed. On first test flight, aircraft fluttered. Canopy separated, spin occurred. Plane not recovered. Pilot parachuted.

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.
