# NTSB LAX89DUQ01: Lewis Moni, N8123, Lancaster, CA, October 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1988, 10:29 local (18:29 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Coordinates: 34.720291, -118.479797 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7203&lon=-118.4798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DUQ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DUQ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT, SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REPORTED ENGINE TROUBLE. THE PILOT WAS CLEARED TO LAND AT HIS DISCRETION. THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A STEEP LEFT DESCENDING TURN SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. THIS WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL MOTORIZED GLIDER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY A POST CRASH FIRE AND THE PILOT DIED 21 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8123](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8123-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 00175, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEWIS MONI
- Registry model: [Lewis James R MONI](https://openairdocs.org/model/lewis-james-r-moni) (registry code 05659X1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 00175
- Engines: KFM 107E 22 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lewis, James R.
- Registered owner: Lewis, James R
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Airport: WJF, General Wm. J. Fox, runway 6, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 308 total, 40 in this make and model, 308 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19881015048359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881015048359A), Oct 15, 1988: Amtr MONI, Lancaster, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot reported engine problem on climbout. Began a turn and dived into the ground. Pilot badly burned in crash fire.

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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