# NTSB ATL87FA016: Koons-Donald Sonerai II, N23DK, Macon, GA, November 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1986, 16:42 local (21:42 UTC)
- Place: Macon, GA
- Coordinates: 32.80046, -83.62033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8005&lon=-83.6203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ground
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING CLIMBOUT, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL WHILE TURNING TO A LEFT CROSSWIND. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AFTER COLLIDING WITH TWO TREES. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT AND LOCAL RESIDENTS WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST EXITING DUE TO FIRE AND HIGH TEMP. THE AIRCRAFT EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE AN MATERIAL FAILURES. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE DURING CLIMBOUT FOLLOWED BY A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE PRIOR TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23DK-2012-09-04), registration cancelled 2012-09-04, S/N 494, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KOONS-DONALD SONERAI II
- Registry model: [Koons-Donald SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/koons-donald-sonerai-ii) (registry code 05659C5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Revmaster 2100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/revmaster-2100) (registry code 52550, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 494
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN VWYR2321 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles R. Denison
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: MAC, Herbert Smart, runway 27, 4,696 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 120 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 6 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 19861102056959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861102056959A), Nov 2, 1986: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Macon, GA, Destroyed. The engine lost power on takeoff and the aircraft struck a tree. A loose fuel primer fitting was found.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.