# NTSB ATL91LA165: Icard, Claude M. Sonerai II LT, N9QC, Morganton, NC, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1991, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Morganton, NC
- Coordinates: 35.740821, -81.690269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7408&lon=-81.6903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA165

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY, AND THE INADVERTENT ROTATION OF THE AIRPLANE, RESULTING IN AN UNPLANNED FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING HIGH-SPEED TAXI TESTS ON THE RUNWAY.  THERE WAS NO INTENT FOR FLIGHT.  THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE WAS NEWLY BUILT, AND HAD NEVER BEEN FLOWN.  THE PILOT HAD NO EXPERIENCE IN THIS MODEL.  WHILE TAXIING DOWN THE RUNWAY WITH THE ENGINE RPM SET AT 2,600, THE LEFT WING BECAME AIRBORNE.  THE PILOT TRIED TO RIGHT THE AIRPLANE, HOWEVER IT DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND OFF OF THE RUNWAY SURFACE.  THE AIRPLANE THEN BECAME AIRBORNE, AND THE PILOT ADDED FULL THROTTLE. THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLIMB, AND THE ENGINE RPM WOULD NOT INCREASE, SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN ADJACENT FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9QC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9QC-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 816, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ICARD, CLAUDE M. SONERAI II LT (SONERAI II)
- Registry model: [Icard Claude M SONERAI II LT](https://openairdocs.org/model/icard-claude-m-sonerai-ii-lt) (registry code 056596G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 816
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Poole, James R. III
- Registered owner: Icard, Claude M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: MRN, Morganton-Lenoir, runway 21, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 140 total, 100 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 2 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910831037419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910831037419A), Aug 31, 1991: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Morganton, NC, Substantial damage. Became airborne on fast taxi test. Out of runway tried to circle. Engine not full power. Aborted and crashed.

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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