# NTSB ERA12LA586: Stewart Mw/Stewart JD Sonerai 2L, N127JS, Titusville, FL, September 20, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 2012, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.620277, -80.834442 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6203&lon=-80.8344&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 12, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA586
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85235/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85235
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA586

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper landing approach speed and touchdown point, which resulted in a runway excursion after touchdown and collision with a ditch.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stewart Mw/Stewart JD SONERAI 2L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=056204T), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stewart Mw/Stewart JD SONERAI 2L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=056204T), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stewart Mw/Stewart JD SONERAI 2L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=056204T), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Stewart Mw/Stewart JD SONERAI 2L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056204T), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stewart Mw/Stewart JD SONERAI 2L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056204T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he flew a faster-than-normal approach due to his concerns about a possible fuel leak and a subsequent no-fuel situation, which resulted in the airplane landing long on the runway. The pilot stated that he ran off the right side of the runway when he realized he could not stop airplane on the runway. The airplane then collided with a ditch. Examination of the fuel tanks revealed that fuel was present; however, an accurate amount of remaining fuel could not be determined. The pilot's report of a fuel smell in the cockpit could not be confirmed because postaccident examination did not reveal any source of leakage or defects with the fuel system. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

On September 20, 2012 about 0940 eastern daylight time, 2L, N127JS, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing at Arthur Dunn Airpark (X21) Titusville, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. According to the pilot, while flying at 2,000 feet mean sea level and 20 miles north of X21, he began smelling fuel fumes inside the cockpit. He checked the fuel sight gauge located on the cockpit front panel and there was no indication of fuel inside of the sight gauge. He then made a 180-degree turn back to the airport to land. While on final approach to runway 15, the pilot flew a faster approach than normal due to the urgency of a possible no-fuel situation. The airplane landed long on the 2,000-foot-long runway and the pilot added "I thought I was going to run off the end of the runway so I drifted into the grass on the right side and hit a deep ditch." The pilot stated that he filled the fuel tank with 7 or 8 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel before the flight and that the fuel tank held a total of 10 gallons. He also stated the fuel tank was full prior to departure. When asked by an NTSB investigator, the pilot could not produce a fuel receipt for any fuel facility in the local area. The fuel facility at X21 also had no record of a fuel purchase from the owner of the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed that the landing gear was collapsed, and the frame was bent at the attachment point. The frame around the cockpit exhibited impact crush damage. The FAA examination of the fuel system did not reveal any anomalies or defects and there was no evidence of fuel leakage on the airframe and no blithe was noted on the surrounding vegetation. The fuel tank quantity was visually examined and contained "some" fuel in the tank, although and accurate quantity was unable to be determined. There were no signs of mechanical malfunction or abnormalities noted with the engine. The propeller was inspected and one of the two blades was broken approximately 3 inches outward from the propeller hub. It was also noted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that no fuel pooling or fumes were present at the accident site. According to the pilot, he reported about 2000 total hours of total flight time and 36 of those hours were in the accident aircraft type. However, since the pilot's log books were not made available this could not be accurately determined. His third class medical certificate was issued on October 31, 2011. According to FAA records the airplane was an experimental, amateur-built, low wing airplane manufactured in 2005, and was equipped with a Volkswagen 2180cc converted engine. The certificate of registration was issued on January 11, 2011.According to the airplane's maintenance records the most recent annual inspection was completed in November of 2011 with 136 hours of total operation. The airplane and engine had accrued 143 total hours of operation at the time of the accident. The 0955 recorded weather at the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility (TTS) located approximately 6 nautical miles to the east of the accident site included; wind from 190 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 2000 feet above ground level, temperature 29 degrees C, dew point of 24 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.83 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N127JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N127JS-2017-09-26), registration cancelled 2017-09-26, S/N 064, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEWART MW/STEWART JD SONERAI 2L
- Registry model: [Stewart Mw/Stewart JD SONERAI 2L](https://openairdocs.org/model/stewart-mw-stewart-jd-sonerai-2l) (registry code 056204T) (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: 064
- Airframe hours: 143
- Engines: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hampton Ed
- Registered owner: Hampton Ed
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2011
- Departed: X21, Titusville, FL
- Destination: X21, Titusville, FL
- Airport: X21, Artur Dunn Airpark, runway 15, 2,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observed at: Ktts, 6 nm away

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85235. 5.7 MB in all.

- NTSB Form 6120. (item 1, .PDF, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379098&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Field Notes. (item 2, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378354&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Field%20Notes.-Master.PDF
- Metar Report. (item 3, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Metar%20Report.-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Damaged Cockpit (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Damaged%20Cockpit%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: View of cockpit, aft looking forward. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20%20View%20of%20cockpit,%20aft%20looking%20forward.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: Damaged engine section. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Damaged%20engine%20section.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4: Empennage section with damaged tailwheel. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378347&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Empennage%20section%20with%20damaged%20tailwheel.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 5: Buckled fuselage where wing and landing gear attach. (Courtesy of FAA). (item 8, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378348&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%3A%20Buckled%20fuselage%20where%20wing%20and%20landing%20gear%20attach.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA).-Master.PDF
- Photo 6: Damaged pilot seat. (courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378349&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%3A%20Damaged%20pilot%20seat.%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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