# NTSB ERA09CA162: Davis Sonex, N555SX, Crossville, TN, February 6, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 6, 2009, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Crossville, TN - Coordinates: 35.95111, -85.084999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9511&lon=-85.0850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73339/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA162 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to the failure of the ignition power supply as a result of the improper installation of the electronic control unit. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: ignition power supply](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Davis John S SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md?model=056154P), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Davis John S SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=056154P), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Davis John S SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=056154P), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Davis John S SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056154P), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur-built airplane was initiating a test flight to check a new propeller. After advancing the throttle, the airplane accelerated with normal power. However, at an altitude of 300 feet, the engine lost total power. The pilot turned back to the departure runway and landed on soft ground to the south of the runway. The landing gear collapsed, substantially damaging the firewall. Examination of the airplane revealed that continuity existed throughout the engine drivetrain, and the engine had no visible damage. The fuel was sampled and no contamination was observed. Examination of the fuel filter revealed no obstructions, the fuel pump operated normally, and the air filter was clean. The spark plugs were determined to be functional; however, no electrical energy was being delivered to the spark plugs. Further examination revealed that the electronic control unit (ECU) was not transmitting voltage to the dual coils. The ECU was manufactured to automotive specifications, and was supposed to be installed in an area of the airplane where temperatures do not exceed 65 degrees Celsius (preferably on the cabin side of the firewall). The ECU on the accident airplane was installed on the engine side of the firewall. ## Factual narrative The pilot of an amateur-built Sonex airplane was initiating a test flight to check a new propeller. After advancing the throttle, the airplane accelerated with normal power. However, at an altitude of 300 feet, the experimental UL Power 260i engine lost total power. The pilot turned back to the departure runway, and landed on soft ground to the south of the runway. The landing gear collapsed, substantially damaging the firewall. Examination of the airplane revealed that continuity existed throughout the engine drive train, and the engine had no visible damage. The fuel was sampled and no contamination was observed. Examination of the fuel filter revealed no obstructions, the fuel pump operated normally, and the air filter was clean. The spark plugs were determined to be functional; however, no electrical energy was being delivered to the spark plugs. Further examination revealed that the electronic control unit (ECU) was not transmitting voltage to the dual coils. The ECU was manufactured to automotive specifications, and was supposed to be installed in an area of the airplane where temperatures do not exceed 65 degrees Celsius (preferably on the cabin side of the firewall). The ECU on the accident airplane was installed on the engine side of the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N555SX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N555SX), registered now, S/N 0523, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Davis Sonex - Registry model: [Davis John S SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-john-s-sonex) (registry code 056154P) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 523 - Airframe hours: 259 - Engines: UL Power 260i 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2008 - Departed: CSV, Crossville, TN - Destination: CSV, Crossville, TN - Airport: CSV, Crossville Memorial Airport, runway 26, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; commercial, military, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review February 8, 2008; seat: center; flight hours: 5,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: CSV ## 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 20090206001539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090206001539A), Feb 6, 2009: Davis SONEX, Crossville, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot taxi aircraft to runway 26 ran aircraft for 15 T0 20 minuttes. Pilot departed runway 26 at Crossville airport (csv) in Tennessee engine lost power pilot… 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.