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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 19, 1984 · Morgan T Melton SKY Rider · N39963

West Plains, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
West Plains, MO
Aircraft
Morgan T Melton SKY Rider
Tail Number
N39963
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC84FA221

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.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWest Plains (0nm NW)
Runway14
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftMorgan T Melton SKY Rider
Tail NumberN39963
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data