# NTSB MKC84FA221: Morgan T. Melton SKY Rider, N39963, West Plains, MO, July 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1984, 20:00 local (Jul 19, 1984, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: West Plains, MO
- Coordinates: 36.739212, -91.860336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7392&lon=-91.8603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA221

## Analysis

THE OWNER/BULDER STATED THAT HE & HIS BROTHER HAD BEEN HAVING AN ENG PROBLEM WHICH THEY ASSUMED WAS DUE TO A VAPOR LOCK. THEY HAD INSTALLED A METAL BOX AROUND THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP TO INSULATE IT FROM THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE BROTHER INITIATED A HI SPEED TAXI TEST & WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAVE TAKEN OFF. HOWEVER, THE ACFT BECAME AIRPORNE, CLIMBED ABOUT 500 FT, THEN TURNED ONTO A DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ENG BEGAN LOOSING POWER. THE ACFT CONTINUED ON DOWNWIND & TURNED ON A BASE LEG. AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL, DURING A STEEP TURN TO FINAL, THE ACFT STALLED & CRASHED. THE CARBURETOR WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT. ABNORMAL WEAR MARKS WERE NOTED ON THE LOWER EDGE OF THE PRIMARY VENTURE. THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE 'OFF' POSITION & THE KEYS WERE FOUND ABOUT 14 FT AWAY. THIS WAS THE ACFT'S 1ST TEST FLT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Aircraft

- Registration: N39963 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MORGAN T. MELTON SKY RIDER
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: M M-1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Morgan T. Melton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: H63, West Plains, runway 14, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 557 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19840718033189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840718033189A), Jul 18, 1984: Amtr SKYRIDER, West Plains, MO, Destroyed. Engine quit turning final on first test flight. Aircraft stalled and crashed. Had prior vapor lock fuel problems.

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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