# NTSB CHI84LA174: Gable Sonerai II, N3994G, Berlin, WI, May 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1984, 15:37 local (20:37 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, WI
- Coordinates: 43.970478, -88.950225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9705&lon=-88.9502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - cooling system,cowling - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THIS HOMEBUILT ACFT STALLED DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WENT TO 650 DEGREES WHICH WAS AN OVERHEAT CONDITION. THE PLT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT BUT STALLED 20 FT SHORT OF RWY 27 AND CRASHED IN A SWAMPY AREA. FAA ADVISED THAT THE OWNER HAD TRIED TO MODIFY AN OPENING INTHE COWLING FOR COOLING BUT DUE TO POSITIONING AND AREA THE RESULT WAS A LACK OF COOLING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3994G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3994G-1999-01-12), registration cancelled 1999-01-12, S/N 386 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GABLE SONERAI II
- Registry model: [Gable/Gable SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/gable-gable-sonerai-ii) (registry code 056591E) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 386
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: Volkswagen NOT REPORTED reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald J. Gable
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1983
- Airport: 45C, Berlin, runway 9, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 107 total, 2 in this make and model, 78 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 18 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 19840505015859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840505015859A), May 5, 1984: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Berlin, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine overheated. Pilot stalled aircraft in attempted emergency landing. Engine cowling vents incorrect.

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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