# NTSB LAX89DUG07: Monett Monarai, Yermo, CA, September 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1989, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Yermo, CA
- Coordinates: 34.910205, -116.849472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9102&lon=-116.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DUG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DUG07

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND INADVERTENTLY ENTERED INTO A STALL/SPIN.

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS TOWED ALOFT BY A GROUND VEHICLE. WHEN THE GLIDER WAS ABOUT 200 FT AGL THE PILOT RELEASED THE TOW LONE. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER THEN TURNED TO THE NORTH, AND ITS AIRSPEED BEGAN TO DECELERATE SLOWLY. IT ENTERED A FLAT SPIN AND CRASHED. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED CONTINUITY OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM, AND ALL MAJOR COMPONENTS WERE FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MONETT MONARAI
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fritz, Richard B.
- Registered owner: No Registration

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total, 2,400 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAG, 8 nm away

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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