# NTSB MIA86FA241: Russell Post Moni Motorglider, N49P, Fellsmere, FL, August 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1986, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Fellsmere, FL
- Coordinates: 27.759622, -80.59053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7596&lon=-80.5905&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): 31512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA241

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - flight control,ruddervator attachment - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight control,ruddervator - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRCRAFT PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LATER FOUND WITH THE TAIL SURFACES SEPARATED. THE TAIL SURFACES WERE FOUND 300 AND 400 FEET FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE ATTACH POINTS FOR THE TAIL SURFACES REVEALED ALL FAILURES TO BE FROM OVERSTRESS. ACCORDING TO AVAILABLE RECORDS, THE PILOT HAD VERY LITTLE AEROBATIC TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49P-1986-08-24), registration cancelled 1986-08-24, S/N 34 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RUSSELL POST MONI MOTORGLIDER (MONI MOTOR)
- Registry model: [Post Russell H MONI MOTORGLIDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/post-russell-h-moni-motorglider) (registry code 056597Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 34
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: KFM TYPE 107 25 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell H. Post
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 28, 1986, 16 hours before
- Departed: X26, SEBASTIAN, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 260 total, 16 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 12 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 19860824082159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860824082159A), Aug 24, 1986: Amtr MONI, Fellsmere, FL, Destroyed. The ruddervators separated resulting in loss of aircraft control. Pilot was flying aerobatics and overstressed tail

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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