# NTSB ATL83LA139: Brown Sonera II L, N86BB, Bowling Green, KY, March 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1983, 16:21 local (21:21 UTC)
- Place: Bowling Green, KY
- Coordinates: 37.060337, -86.460029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0603&lon=-86.4600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA139

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER ON THE BASE LEG OF THE LANDING PATTERN. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD WORKED ON THE CARBURETOR PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHTAND HAD ALSO MOVED THE FUEL LINE GOING TO THE GASCOLATOR. THE PILOT IMPROPERLY INSTALLED THE GASOLATOR AND IT WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT BELIEVES THIS LEAK CAUSED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND LOSS OF POWER. THE SIGHT GLASSUSED AS A FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW QUANTITY BELOW 5 GALLONS AND AS A RESULT THE PILOT COULD NOT JUDGE ANY CHANGE IN RATEOF CONSUMPTION FOR THE LAST THIRD OF HIS FUEL SUPPLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86BB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86BB-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 900, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BROWN SONERA II L (SONERA II)
- Registry model: [Brown Robert A SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/brown-robert-a-sonerai-ii) (registry code 05659RH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 900
- Airframe hours: 52
- Engines: Volkswagen 2020CC 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Brown
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 18, 1982, 52 hours before
- Departed: LGC, LA GRANGE, GA
- Airport: BWG, Bowling Green

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,000 total, 52 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWG, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830314024039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830314024039A), Mar 14, 1983: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Bowling Green, KY, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destingation. Flipped over landing in a soft field. Bogus bolt on gasculator allowed fuel leak

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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