# NTSB CHI02CA203: Bilgri Sonerai II Lts, N9B, Juneau, WI, July 19, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 19, 2002, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Juneau, WI - Coordinates: 43.426666, -88.70333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4267&lon=-88.7033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 6, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55308 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02CA203 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55308/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55308 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02CA203 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering to return to the airport. A reduction in handling quality and the distraction due to the open canopy were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - window,canopy - open (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The unlatched canopy opened during takeoff roll. While returning to the airport, the pilot briefly lost control (stalled) and, although control was regained, the aircraft lost sufficient altitude and descended into terrain. Shortly after impact, the aircraft hit a fence row and was substantially damaged. The pilot sustained minor injuries. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2002, at 1030 central daylight time, a Bilgri Sonerai II LTS, N9B, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during initial climb from runway 8 (5,069 feet by 100 feet, dry/asphalt) at the Dodge County Airport (UNU), Juneau, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In his written report, the pilot stated "I borrowed a handheld device that . . . would give prop rotation speed. I distrusted the device reading when pointing through the windscreen, therefore I opened the canopy slightly, extending my hand outside to obtain a reading. When done, I closed the canopy. I made an error by not returning to my checklist which includes 'Safety the canopy latch'. The takeoff started normally. The canopy flew open while still over the runway. I decided insufficient runway remained for landing, so I proceeded up to several hundred feet altitude. The aircraft handled very poorly, although I had control. I attempted a slow turn back to the airport, briefly losing control. I regained control but lost altitude, finding myself on the ground but unable to avoid the fence line." FAA records indicate the pilot holds a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, and a third class medical certificate issued October 2001. The pilot reported 139 hours total time, 11 hours within the past 90 days, and 11 hours in the same make and model as the accident aircraft. Weather conditions at the scene were reported by the pilot as clear, 10 miles visibility and no turbulence. Dodge County AWOS, at 1535 UTC, reported conditions as 8,000 scattered with 10 miles visibility, and winds from 060 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9B-2003-01-10), registration cancelled 2003-01-10, S/N 01, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bilgri Sonerai II Lts - Registry model: [Bilgri David SONERAI II LTS](https://openairdocs.org/model/bilgri-david-sonerai-ii-lts) (registry code 056075P) (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: 01 - Airframe hours: 11 - Engines: Jabiru 2200 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 16, 2002, 0 hours before - Departed: UNU, Juneau, WI - Destination: UNU, Juneau, WI - Airport: UNU, Dodge County, runway 08, 5,069 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 139 total, 11 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: UNU ## 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 20020719038159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020719038159A), Jul 19, 2002: Amtr SONERAI2LTS, Juneau, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 19, 2002 N9B a sonerai, lts serial #1 piloted by david bilgri certificate #335406775 was departing Dodge county, Juneau, WI for a local flight.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55308. 426 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 426 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463347&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.