# NTSB CEN24FA346: Sonex Sonex, N966DP, Sulphur Springs, IN, September 10, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: September 10, 2024, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Sulphur Springs, IN · PVT grass airstrip - inverted in soybean field - departed to the right during takeoff - Coordinates: 40.001184, -85.427771 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0012&lon=-85.4278&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195094 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24FA346 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195094/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195094 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA346 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dave Province SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05640BG), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dave Province SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05640BG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Dave Province SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05640BG), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dave Province SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05640BG), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dave Province SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05640BG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Dave Province SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05640BG), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis A witness reported that the pilot stated that he was going to conduct a short local flight. The pilot, who hangared the airplane at his residence, taxied the airplane from his residence to the private grass airstrip. The witness observed the pilot perform an engine run-up and then proceed to take off. Due to terrain obscuration, the witness lost sight of the airplane shortly after the initial takeoff roll. The witness did not see the airplane become airborne. She then observed the airplane inverted in an adjacent soybean field. She responded to the site, extricated the pilot, and rendered aid until first responders arrived. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. An acquaintance of the pilot stated that it was not uncommon for deer to be grazing in the soybean fields and cross the airstrip; however, there was no evidence of the airplane colliding with wildlife on the runway. The reason for the loss of directional control during the takeoff could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The privately-owned grass airstrip was located between two large soybean fields. An acquaintance of the pilot stated that it was not uncommon for deer to be grazing in the soybean fields and cross the airstrip. On September 10, 2024, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Sonex airplane, N966DP, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Sulphur Springs, Indiana. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a witness, the pilot stated he was going to conduct a short local flight. The pilot, who hangared the airplane at his residence, taxied the airplane from his residence to the private grass airstrip. The witness observed the pilot perform an engine run-up, and then proceed to take off. Due to terrain obscuration, the witness lost sight of the airplane shortly after the initial takeoff roll. The witness observed a dust cloud and had not realized the airplane had crashed. The witness, who did not observe the airplane become airborne, responded to the grass airstrip and observed the airplane inverted in an adjacent soybean field (see Figure 1). The witness extricated the pilot and rendered aid until first responders arrived. Figure 1. Aerial views of the accident site. The airplane came to rest inverted in a soybean field about 1,250 ft from the start of the takeoff roll (see Figure 2.). Figure 2. Accident airplane as it came to rest inverted in soybean field. An autopsy of the pilot was performed by Saguaro Forensic Consulting Firm, LLC, at the request of the Henry County Coroner’s Office. The autopsy report was reviewed by the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge. According to the autopsy report, the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries, and the manner of death was accident. Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory found Clopidogrel, Doxazosin, Naproxen, and Pantoprazole in the pilot’s blood and liver. Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a platelet aggregation inhibitor used to prevent blood clots in coronary artery stents. Doxazosin (Cardura) is an alpha-1-adrenergic blocker used to treat prostate hypertrophy and high blood pressure. Naproxen (Aleve) is a non-prescription NSAID used to treat pain and inflammation. Pantoprazole (Protonix) is a proton-pump inhibitor that inhibits secretion of stomach acid. The medication is used to treat certain esophagus and stomach conditions such as acid reflux. All of the medications detected are acceptable for use by pilots and none were impairing or would have adversely affected performance. A review of the pilot’s logbook revealed the pilot had completed 4 flights in the accident airplane for a total of 4.0 flight hours since he purchased the airplane in 2021. The pilot’s most recent flight in the accident airplane was August 14, 2023, about 13 months before the accident. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the airplanesustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to the flight control surfaces. The flaps were in the retracted position. The canopy was found locked and secured. The main wheel brake handle was found in the OFF position. The wheel brakes engaged when the handle was manually moved to the ON position. After the airplane was recovered to the pilot’s hangar, the engine was functionally tested on the airframe at various throttle settings with no anomalies noted. Multiple throttle bursts were completed with no hesitation or anomalies noted. The electric fuel pump was placed in the ON position while in the idle and ¾ throttle positions; no change in engine performance was noted. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N966DP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N966DP), registered now, S/N 1006, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SONEX AIRCRAFT SONEX - Registry model: [Dave Province SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/dave-province-sonex) (registry code 05640BG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aerovee 2180](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerovee-2180) (registry code 01400, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1006 - Year built: 2021 - Airframe hours: 10.7 - Engines: AEROVEE 2180 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 11, 2023, 1.1 hours before - Airport: 39IN, Roberts Field, runway 30, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 25, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 890 total, 4 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Observed at: KMIE, 14 nm away - METAR: KMIE 101753Z 18006KT 10SM CLR 27/11 A3016 RMK AO2 SLP204 T02720111 10278 20111 58011 ## 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 20240910012849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240910012849A), Sep 10, 2024: Dave Province SONEX, Sulphur Springs, IN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On September 10, 2024, at approximately 1345 eastern time, an experimental province Sonex was performing a takeoff at robert’s field airport on runway 30 in… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195094. 9.1 MB in all. - Airplane examination summary (item 1, PDF, 15 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17869503&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24FA346%20Field%20Notes_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - witness (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17869281&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20ROC-Rel.pdf - FAA record of conversation - witness (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 422 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17869126&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA_Form_1360-33%20Witness_Page_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 439 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17870035&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Tox_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 5, PDF, 10 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17869178&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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.