# NTSB NYC87DNC07: Mcculloch Monerai "S", N54MS, Springfield, VT, July 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1987, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, VT
- Location: 43.2966° N, 72.4819° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Springfield, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2966&lon=-72.4819&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DNC07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DNC07

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor)
  - wing,spar - failure,total (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE MONERAI 'S' (N54MS, A PWRD GLIDER) EXPERIENCED AN INFLT FAILURE OF THE LEFT WING SPAR & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED IN EXCESS OF ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT OF 450 LBS. THE PLT OF AN UNPOWERED MONERAI SAID HE & 3 OTHERS (INCLUDING THE PLT OF N54MS) WERE FLYING IN A THERMAL WHEN HE NOTED A SUDDEN, SHARP 'UP-GUST.'  HE DESCRIBED THIS 'UP-GUST' AS BEING STRONGER THAN ANY HE HAD EVER EXPERIENCED IN 5 YRS OF FLYING HIS GLIDER. HE HAD SEEN N54MS IN THE SAME THERMAL, BUT WAS NOT OBSERVING IT WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. A GROUND WITNESS SAW N54MS DESCENDING OUT OF CONTROL WITH THE APPEARANCE OF BOTH WINGS POINTING UPWARD. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT WING SPAR HAD FAILED FROM OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54MS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54MS-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 0006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCCULLOCH MONERAI "S" (MONERAI "S)
- Registry model: [Mcculloch G James MONERAI-S](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcculloch-g-james-monerai-s) (registry code 05647DT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0006
- Airframe hours: 255
- Engines: Zenoah 18 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Garland J. Mcculloch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1987, 15 hours before
- Departed: MHT, MANCHESTER, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 285 total, 225 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19870705033989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870705033989A), Jul 5, 1987: Amtr MONERAIS, Springfield, VT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. In flight failure of left spar at cruise altitude. Impacted the ground in a flat spin. Powered homebuilt glider.

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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