Sterns STERNS LONGSTER N891DS
1 July 1991 · Mayville, New York, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 1 July 1991 at about 23:22 local time, a Sterns STERNS LONGSTER registered N891DS, operated by Dick R. Stearns, was involved in an accident near Mayville, New York, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 23:22
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Mayville, New York, United States
- Nearest airport
- Dart Airfield (D79)
- Coordinates
- 42.2500, -79.5004
- Aircraft
- Sterns STERNS LONGSTER
- Registration
- N891DS
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Dick R. Stearns
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Mayville → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC91DFJ01
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SPIN AT A LOW ALTITUDE. ALSO CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE OF THE PILOT IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT WAS FLYING THE EXPERIMENTAL, HOME-BUILT AIRPLANE FOR THE FIRST TIME. HE EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS ABOUT FLYING THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S FAMILY ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT WITH A VIDEO CAMERA TO RECORD THE FLIGHT. AFTER MUCH HESITATION, THE PILOT TOOK OFF. HE CIRCLED THE AIRPORT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THEN THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SPUN INTO THE GROUND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1991 | Maule M6-235 | Arcade, New York, United States | Haley, Lawrence E. | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1991 | Cessna C-172 | Clarence Center, New York, United States | Augusta Aviation, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1991 | Piper PA-32R-300 | Rhinebeck, New York, United States | Catskill Transportation | No injuries | - |
| 14 Jul 1991 | Robinson R-22B | White Plains, New York, United States | Engle Helicopter, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 1991 | Cessna 152 | Springwater, New York, United States | State Aerial Farm Statistics | No injuries | - |
| 12 Aug 1991 | Cessna 152 | Bear Mountain, New York, United States | Control Arrow, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |