Amateur-built STERNS LONGSTER accident near Mayville, New York, July 1, 1991
On July 1, 1991 at about 11:22 pm local time, a amateur-built STERNS LONGSTER, registered N891DS, was destroyed in an accident near Mayville, New York (Dart Airfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 1, 1991 · about 11:22 pm local time
- Place
- Mayville, New York · Dart Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built STERNS LONGSTER STERNS LON
- Registration
- N891DS · no longer on the register · serial 1
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 300 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 25, 1991; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 732 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 07 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: D79 Mayville NY at 11:12 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,700 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:45 pm from BFD, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.