# NTSB CHI98LA271: Vollmers Sonerai II L, N317WM, Lincoln, ND, July 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1998, 09:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Lincoln, ND - Coordinates: 46.800067, -100.759506 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8001&lon=-100.7595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43656 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43656/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA271 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to a corroded ignition wire. Related factors were the tailwind, and ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, descent - normal - ignition system,low tension wiring - corroded (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that the engine suffered a total loss of power and he initiated a forced landing to a dirt road. On approach to the road he realized that the landing would have a tailwind. He then attempted to turn the airplane more into the wind; however, he temporarily lost control. Coincident with his recovery of control of the airplane, the landing was made in a ditch. During the rollout, the airplane nosed over. A subsequent examination of the engine revealed a corroded wire in the electronic (automotive) ignition system of the amateur built airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 1998, at 0925 central daylight time, a Vollmers Sonerai II L (amateur built airplane), N317WM, impacted the terrain during a forced landing after loss of engine power. The private pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated he was descending to land at Bismarck Municipal Airport when the airplane lost power. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated in Jamestown, North Dakota at 0845. The pilot said that he did not know why the engine lost power. He said in his written statement that after the loss of power, he attempted to land on a dirt road landing to the north; however found the wind to be from the south. He attempted to make a low level turn to land more into the wind, but temporarily lost control of the airplane. When he regained control the airplane touched down in a ditch and after rolling a "few hundred feet," nosed over. An examination of the engine subsequent to the accident revealed a corroded wire in the electronic ignition system. There was no spark available to the spark plugs. The ignition system on the engine was an automotive installation on this amateur built airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N317WM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N317WM), registered now, S/N 559, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VOLLMERS SONERAI II L (SONERAI II) - Registry model: [Vollmers Walter K SONERAI IIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/vollmers-walter-k-sonerai-iil) (registry code 056598P) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 559 - Airframe hours: 107 - Engines: Volkswagen 82-2-DEH 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Karl W. Vollmers - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1998, 2 hours before - Departed: JMS, JAMESTOWN, ND - Destination: BIS, BISMARCK, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,565 total, 108 in this make and model, 1,535 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BIS, 3 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 19980711016459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980711016459A), Jul 11, 1998: Amtr SONERAI, Bismarck, ND, No damage. (-23) On 07/11/98 at 0925 CDT, Sonerai ii-l, N317WM owned an operated by karl vollmers was substantially damaged during a pleasure flight from hawley, MN to… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.