Smith MONNETT MONI N3257W

Summary

On 21 June 1995 at about 23:04 local time, a Smith MONNETT MONI registered N3257W, operated by McDuffie, Wade H., was involved in an accident near Cheraw, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 June 1995 at 23:04

Classification

Accident

Location

Cheraw, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Cheraw Municipal (47J)

Coordinates

34.6908, -79.8910

Aircraft

Smith MONNETT MONI

Registration

N3257W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

McDuffie, Wade H.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL95LA116

1 person died.

The loss of engine power for unknown reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed, which resulted in impact with the ground while the airplane was in a stalled condition.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WITNESS REPORTS INDICATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING. THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNED DOWNWIND TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY. AS THE TURN TO THE BASE LEG WAS MADE, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN. IT IMPACTED IN A VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT WAS INCONCLUSIVE. ANOTHER PILOT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, HE AND THE PILOT DISCUSSED THE FUEL/OIL MIXTURE THAT WAS BEING USED FOR THE TWO CYCLE ENGINE. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT THE FUEL MIXTURE HE WAS USING MAY HAVE BEEN TOO LEAN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.