# NTSB CHI84LA233: Robert Judd Sonerai II, N1394H, Troy, MI, June 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1984, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MI
- Location: 42.6056° N, 83.1499° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Troy, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6056&lon=-83.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA233

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - carburetor heat control - lack of (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - engine accessories,engine starter - lack of
  - starting procedure - not possible
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER A LOCAL FLT HE BEGAN A REDUCED POWER (1800 RPM) DESCENT FROM 4500 FT MSL BACK TO THE ARPT. AT 3300 FT MSL THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG AS THE PROP WAS NOT WINDMILLING & THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ENG STARTER. THE WING SCRAPED A PARKED VEHICLE ABOUT 100 FT FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY BEFORE THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. THE SPARK PLUGS & EXHAUST PIPES WERE REPORTEDLY COVERED WITH BLACK SOOT. THE CARBURETOR WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1394H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1394H-2013-06-06), registration cancelled 2013-06-06, S/N 809, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBERT JUDD SONERAI II
- Registry model: [Jud Robert W SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/jud-robert-w-sonerai-ii) (registry code 05659RG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 809
- Airframe hours: 19
- Engines: Volkswagen 1850 CC reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bradley T. Curtis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1984, 19 hours before
- Airport: 3BB, Big Beaver Airport, runway 27, 2,400 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 145 total, 9 in this make and model, 111 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 12 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 19840613030399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840613030399A), Jun 13, 1984: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Troy, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit after descent for landing. Hit an auto and a fence short of runway. Not equipped with carburetor heat.

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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