Morelli RANS S9 N1189Z

Summary

On 26 May 1998 at about 22:45 local time, a Morelli RANS S9 registered N1189Z was involved in an accident near Taunton, Massachusetts, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 May 1998 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Taunton, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Taunton (TAN)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Morelli RANS S9

Registration

N1189Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC98FA117

1 person died.

The pilot's operation of the aircraft in an unapproved configuration contrary to procedures resulting in diminished aircraft control, and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft resulting in a stall/spin event. Contributing factors were the non-installation of the canopy and engine cowling during flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had been making adjustments to the carburetors on the 2 cycle, non-certificated engine. He was flying the homebuilt airplane without the engine cowling or canopy in place. While circling near the airport, the airplane was observed to enter a spin and it disappeared from view in a near vertical nose down attitude. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found with the airplane or engine. The Chief Engineer for the kit manufacturer reported, '...The flying qualities would have been altered due to the large increase in drag and disruption of the airflow over the fuselage and tail surfaces. The aircraft stall and spin characteristics could have been dramatically changed from previously tested configurations. The assembly manual and flight operations manuals clearly indicate that the cowl and canopy should be in place before flying the aircraft and that operation of the aircraft in any other configuration is not approved.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.