# NTSB NYC91DGT04: George E Heide, JR. Moni Motorglider, N107GH, Annville, PA, May 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1991, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Annville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.33041, -76.500328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3304&lon=-76.5003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91DGT04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DGT04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DUE TO A LOSS OF ALTITUDE PRECIPITATED BY A DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH IN HIS MOTORIZED GLIDER WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF ALTITUDE DUE TO A DOWNDRAFT, WHICH PLACED HIM BELOW THE ELEVATED THRESHOLD OF THE RUNWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET ABOVE THE TERRAIN.  HE APPLIED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO 'MAKE THE RUNWAY,' BUT 'CUT THE POWER AND FLARED INTO THE BUSHES AT THE RUNWAY EMBANKMENT' WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N107GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N107GH-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GEORGE E HEIDE, JR. MONI MOTORGLIDER (MONI MOTOR)
- Registry model: [Heide George E JR MONNETT MONI](https://openairdocs.org/model/heide-george-e-jr-monnett-moni) (registry code 056595G) (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: 100
- Engines: KEA 107E 25 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gerhard Hoffmann
- Registered owner: Gerhard Hoffmann
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 17, 1990
- Departed: N71, DONEGAL SPRINGS, PA
- Airport: N76, Millard, runway 11, 2,850 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; flight hours: 200 total, 120 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °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 19910520022339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910520022339A), May 20, 1991: Amtr MONI, Annville, PA, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final. Impacted 20 feet short of runway.

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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