# NTSB CHI89DEC05: Job Sonerai II, N288LJ, Fowlerville, MI, June 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1989, 19:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Fowlerville, MI
- Coordinates: 42.659076, -84.069763 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6591&lon=-84.0698&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 June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14178
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEC05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14178/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEC05

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DISCONTINUING VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SCAN GAGES BEFORE CLEARING A KNOWN OBSTACLE ON THE DEPARTURE PATH FROM THE RUNWAY. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT IS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MODEL AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - visual lookout - discontinued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT COMPLETED TAXI TESTS ON THE AIRCRAFT AND ACCELERATED FOR TAKEOFF ON THE FIRST FLIGHT FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE. DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM THE PRIVATE SOD STRIP, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND FELL 50 FEET TO GROUND. THE PILOT STATES HE NOTED FORWARD AND SIDE VISIBILITY FROM THE COCKPIT WAS LIMITED AND THAT HE BECAME PREOCCUPIED WITH INSTRUMENTS AFTER LIFTOFF. HE NOTICED TREE BRANCHES AHEAD AS THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE PILOT WAS THE OWNER OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N288LJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N288LJ-1994-10-05), registration cancelled 1994-10-05, S/N 002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOB SONERAI II
- Registry model: [Job Larry Lewis MONNETT SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/job-larry-lewis-monnett-sonerai-ii) (registry code 05659PD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 002
- Engines: Volkswagen 7499 EVAS 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Ronald C. Cooper
- Registered owner: Larry L. Job
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 8, 1989, 0 hours before
- Departed: NONE, FOWLERVILLE, MI
- Airport: NONE, Glover Field, runway 36, 2,600 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,000 total, 3,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890608014679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890608014679A), Jun 8, 1989: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Fowlerville, MI, Substantial damage. Struck a lone tree on airport on first flight of homebuilt. Was involved checking panel and not looking out.

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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