# NTSB CHI86FEM01: Leone Sonerai II, N47GL, Traverse City, MI, October 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1985, 08:37 local (12:37 UTC)
- Place: Traverse City, MI
- Coordinates: 44.759346, -85.699317 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7593&lon=-85.6993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEM01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A TREE AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR WHICH RESULTED FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47GL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47GL), registered now, S/N 635, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEONE SONERAI II
- Registry model: [Leone Giovanni T SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/leone-giovanni-t-sonerai-ii) (registry code 056591H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 635
- Airframe hours: 44
- Engines: Volkswagen 1914 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Giovanni T. Leone
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1985, 44 hours before
- Departed: TVC, TRAVERSE CITY, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 550 total, 13 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 7 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 19851004049089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851004049089A), Oct 4, 1985: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Traverse City, MI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on a test flight. Struck trees trying to land on a road. Failed to check fuel prior to flight.

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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