# NTSB CHI87DEM04: Devries Sonerai II, N28KD, Wayland, MI, November 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1986, 17:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Wayland, MI
- Coordinates: 42.670909, -85.639572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6709&lon=-85.6396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEM04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE VOLKSWAGEN ENGINE OF THIS HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT LOST POWER SOMETIME DURING FLIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES DURING IMPACT AND COULD NOT REMEMBER DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE ENGINE WAS BADLY DAMAGED AND NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28KD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28KD-2023-06-03), registration cancelled 2023-06-03, S/N 01570, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEVRIES SONERAI II
- Registry model: [Devries Kelvin J SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/devries-kelvin-j-sonerai-ii) (registry code 056596N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1570
- Engines: Volkswagen 1700 CC 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Kelvin Devries
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1986
- Departed: 41C, WAYLAND, MI
- Airport: 41C, Wayland

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 728 total, 545 in this make and model, 342 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 130° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 20 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 19861119074739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861119074739A), Nov 19, 1986: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Wayland, MI, Substantial damage. Engine lost power after takeoff. Struck trees during landing in a field. Cause undetermined due to engine damage.

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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