# NTSB SEA89LA173: Miller Special JM-2, N74M, Reno, NV, September 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1989, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.709888, -119.819313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7099&lon=-119.8193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41081
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41081/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA173

## Probable cause

STRUCTURAL FAILURE WHEN DESIGN STRESS LIMITS WERE EXCEEDED AFTER ENCOUNTERING HAZARDOUS METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AIR RACE, WITNESSES REPORT THAT THE AIRPLANE FLEW THROUGH A DUST DEVIL PRIOR TO THE AIRPLANE BREAKING APART. THE DUST DEVIL WAS OBSERVED JUST OUTSIDE THE RACE COURSE ON THE PREVIOUS LAP BY ANOTHER PILOT. DUST DEVILS WERE REPORTED IN THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE DAY PRIOR TO THE RACE. THE AIRPLANES WERE ESTIMATED TO BE FLYING AT 250 MPH AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74M-1990-12-12), registration cancelled 1990-12-12, S/N M102 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MILLER SPECIAL JM-2 (SPECIAL JM)
- Registry model: [Miller MILLER SPECIAL JM-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-miller-special-jm-2) (registry code 0562278) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: M102
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Errol D. Roberson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 11, 1989
- Airport: 4SD, Reno

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 11 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 19890915035009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890915035009A), Sep 15, 1989: Amtr JM2, Reno, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. At 250 mph,during an air race,aircraft flew into a dustdevil and disintergrated. Other pilots saw and avoided area.

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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