# NTSB CHI84LA312: Burns Soneria II, N423ST, Woodsfield, OH, July 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1984, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Woodsfield, OH
- Coordinates: 39.760669, -81.110389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7607&lon=-81.1104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA312

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fuel system,drain - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - reduced, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE A/C DEPARTED CLINTON, MD, FOR A VFR FLT TO WOODSFIELD, OH, WITH A PLANNED REFUELING STOP AT MANASSAS, VA. EN ROUTE THE PLT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL FUEL COMSUMPTION RATE BUT STILL ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE DESTINATION ARPT. ABOUT 3NM OUT THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. ON FINAL APPROACH TO AN OFF ARPT LANDING SITE, THE PLT SPOTTED SOME UNMARKED WIRES DIRECTLY AHEAD. HE STATED THAT HE STRECHED THE GLIDE TO CLEAR THE WIRES & SUBSEQUENTLY THE ACFT STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO LEVEL THE WINGS BEFORE IMPACTING IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT FOUND A LEAK IN THE CURTIS DRAIN VALVE ON THE GASCOLATOR. HE REPORTED THAT INFLT, WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS PRESSURIZED BY PROP AIRFLOW, THE LEAK OCCURRED. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT HIS NORMAL RANGE OF 2 HR & 40 MIN WAS REDUCED TO 1 HR & 43 MIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N423ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N423ST-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N FB01041, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURNS SONERIA II
- Registry model: [Burns Fletcher A SONERAI II L](https://openairdocs.org/model/burns-fletcher-a-sonerai-ii-l) (registry code 056592X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: FB-01041
- Airframe hours: 61
- Engines: Volkswagen 1835CC reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fletcher A. Burns
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1984, 77 hours before
- Departed: W10, MANASSAS, VA
- Destination: 4G5, WOODSFIELD, OH
- Airport: 4GS, Monroe County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 265 total, 60 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F

## 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 19840726036749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840726036749A), Jul 26, 1984: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Woodsfield, OH, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Stalled and crashed clearing power lines on landing. Fuel strainer drain leak.

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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