# NTSB ERA09LA187: Doyle-Michael Sonerai-II, N28MD, Leonardtown, MD, March 6, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 2009, 12:44 local (17:44 UTC) - Place: Leonardtown, MD - Coordinates: 38.332778, -76.569725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3328&lon=-76.5697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73457 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73457/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73457 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA187 ## Probable cause The pilot's continued operation of the airplane with a known mechanical deficiency. Contributing to the accident was the improper installation of the electronic ignition system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Doyle-Michael SONERAI-II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05659E2), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Doyle-Michael SONERAI-II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=05659E2), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) - [Ignition system: ignition power supply](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Doyle-Michael SONERAI-II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md?model=05659E2), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Doyle-Michael SONERAI-II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05659E2), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Doyle-Michael SONERAI-II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05659E2), [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. - [Taxi-to runway: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Doyle-Michael SONERAI-II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05659E2), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Doyle-Michael SONERAI-II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05659E2), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Doyle-Michael SONERAI-II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05659E2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot/owner of the amateur-built airplane, after performing an engine check, he noticed the sole engine-driven magneto was not operating normally. However, since he had an electronic ignition system, he felt it would be acceptable to remain in the traffic pattern at the airport. While climbing through approximately 400 feet on his sixth takeoff, the engine started to lose power. The pilot/owner manipulated the throttle; however, the engine failed to respond. During the off-airport forced landing, the airplane impacted a tree with the outboard portion of the right wing. Following the recovery of the wreckage, the No. 2 cylinder exhaust pipe was observed detached and the exhaust outlet was in close proximity to the electronic ignition and coil that provided power to the cylinders. Additionally, the fuse to the ignition system was also found blown. After replacing the fuse, the engine operated normally utilizing the electronic ignition system. Manufacturer guidance indicates that the installation of the electronic ignition system should be on the accessory gear box next to the engine driven magneto, in order to prevent excessive temperatures to the coils. In the accident airplane, the electronic ignition system was mounted on the firewall, near the No. 2 exhaust. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2009, about 1244 eastern standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Sonerai-II, N28MD, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during an off-airport emergency landing approximately 1 mile southwest of St. Mary's County Regional Airport (2W6), Leonardtown, Maryland. The certificated private pilot/owner sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal local flight that departed about 1200. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot/owner stated that he arrived at the airport about 1045, performed a preflight inspection, and started the engine. After warming the engine for a few minutes, he proceeded to perform an engine and flight control check. He noticed the airplane's sole engine-driven magneto was not operating; however, he felt confident that the electrical ignition system would be acceptable to remain in the traffic pattern for runway 29, in order to practice takeoffs and landings. While passing through about 400 feet above ground level, on his sixth takeoff, the engine started to lose power. The pilot then began manipulating the throttle to see if the engine would respond; however, this made no change. He then lowered the nose to maintain a safe glide speed and began preparing for an emergency off-airport landing. There was a tree located at the beginning of the open field. He attempted to adjust his flight path in order to avoid the tree; however, the airplane struck the tree near the wingtip. The airplane came to rest in an open field approximately 4,300 feet beyond and 1,400 feet left of the extended centerline of the departure end of the runway. The airplane was examined by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA inspector found damage to the right wing tip, buckling of the skin on the right wing and fuselage, and the right wing root and wing spar were substantially damaged. Both propeller blades were splintered approximately 8 inches from the propeller hub. The airplane had been refueled on February 26, 2009; the fuel that remained on board was estimated at 8 gallons and was blue in color. According to the pilot/owner, after the airplane had been recovered from the accident location, he removed the top cowling and noticed that an exhaust pipe from the No.2 cylinder had become disconnected. The location of the exhaust pipe was directly in front of the electrical wiring and one of the two coils that supplied power to the cylinders. The wiring was intact, but appeared "to have been hot," and the fuse for the electronic ignition system was found blown. After the fuse was replaced, the engine started and operated utilizing the electronic ignition. A review of manufacturer guidance pertaining to the installation of the electronic ignition system revealed that it must be mounted on the accessory case located on the back of the engine.Also, the maximum permissible temperature that the coil should be exposed to is 190 degrees F. According to photographs supplied by the pilot/owner, the coil was mounted on the firewall and in the immediately vicinity of the disconnected exhaust pipe. According to the pilot/owner, the airplane's most recent conditional inspection was conducted on August 14, 2008. At the time of the accident, the airplane had 180 hours of total time in service. It was equipped with a Volkswagon/Great Plains VW 2180 engine. It had 193 total hours time in service and had been inspected 37 flight hours prior to the accident. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical was issued on April 24, 2008. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector on scene that he had 603 hours of total flight experience, 180 hours of total flight experience in the aircraft make and model, and 13 hours of flight experience in the 90 days prior to the accident. The 1252 recorded weather at 2W6 included winds from 220 at 12 knots with wind gusts of 16 knots, 10 miles of visibility, clear skies, temperature 13 degrees C, dew point 2 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.12 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28MD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28MD), registered now, S/N 141, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Doyle-Michael Sonerai-II - Registry model: [Doyle-Michael SONERAI-II](https://openairdocs.org/model/doyle-michael-sonerai-ii) (registry code 05659E2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 141 - Airframe hours: 180 - Engines: Volkswagon/Great Plains VW 2180 70 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 13, 2008, 37 hours before - Departed: 2W6, Leonardtown, MD - Destination: 2W6, Leonardtown, MD - Airport: 2W6, St. Mary's County Regional, runway 29, 4,150 × 75 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 609 total, 180 in this make and model, 561 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: 2W6, 2 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 20090306004159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090306004159A), Mar 6, 2009: Amtr SONERAI, Leonardtown, MD, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 6, 2009, at 11:15, eastern standard time, an experimental, amateur-built, Sonerai-ii, N28MD, s/n 141, a fixed wing single engine aircraft… ## Other investigations on N28MD (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN26LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA060), Dec 12, 2025: Sonerai II (N28MD), Cresson, TX, substantial damage, investigation ongoing ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73457. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 375 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325126&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Written Statement (item 2, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325136&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Written%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather (item 3, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather-Master.PDF - Installation Guidance For Ignition (item 4, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Installation%20Guidance%20For%20Ignition-Master.PDF - FAA Accident Briefing Paper (item 5, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Accident%20Briefing%20Paper-Master.PDF - Photo 1: No. 2 Exhaust and Electronic Ignition (Photo Courtsey of Owner/Pilot) (item 6, .PDF, 674 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20No.%202%20Exhaust%20and%20Electronic%20Ignition%20(Photo%20Courtsey%20of%20Owner%2FPilot)-Master.PDF 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.