# NTSB MIA84FA164: Mooney M-18C, N487M, Sugar Loaf Key, FL, May 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1984, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Sugar Loaf Key, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550388, -81.780853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5504&lon=-81.7809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30992/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing - deteriorated (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - wing - failure,total (cause)
  - wing - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED MAKING SEVERAL PASSES OVER A FRIENDS HOUSE. AT THE END OF THE THIRD PASS DURING, A CLIMBING LEFT TURN, THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED WOOD ROT IN THE MAIN WING SPAR. THE LAST KNOWN INSPECTION FOR WOOD AND GLUE JOINT DETERIORATION WAS PERFORMED IN 1982 BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N487M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N487M-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 241, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-18C
- Registry model: [Mooney M-18C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m-18c) (registry code 5870102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 241
- Airframe hours: 837
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8-12 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen C. Forris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1984, 31 hours before
- Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL
- Destination: FXE, FT.LAUDERDALE, FL
- Airport: 06

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,664 total, 129 in this make and model, 4,254 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 24,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 10 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 19840510016509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840510016509A), May 10, 1984: Mnmite M18C, Sugar Loaf Key, FL, Destroyed. Right wing separated on pull up from a low pass over a residence. Wooden wing was rotted. Not detected in annual.

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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