# NTSB ERA13LA405: Crowder Michael H Sonex, N293SX, Waxhaw, NC, September 6, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2013, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Waxhaw, NC - Coordinates: 35.863887, -80.748054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8639&lon=-80.7481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88006 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA405 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88006/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88006 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA405 ## Probable cause The pilot/owner/builder’s improper routing of the engine’s crankshaft position sensor cable next to the engine’s exhaust system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power in flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Crowder Michael H SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=056265Y), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control electronic](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057321): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Crowder Michael H SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057321/cases.md?model=056265Y), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057321/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control electronic](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057321): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Crowder Michael H SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057321/cases.md?model=056265Y), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057321/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Crowder Michael H SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=056265Y), [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. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Crowder Michael H SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=056265Y), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Crowder Michael H SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=056265Y), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Crowder Michael H SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056265Y), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Crowder Michael H SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056265Y), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Crowder Michael H SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056265Y), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis About 15 to 20 minutes after establishing the airplane in cruise flight, the pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the experimental amateur-built airplane, noticed that the engine rpm had dropped from the previously established 2,600 to 1,800. The engine continued to operate at this reduced power setting for about 30 to 60 seconds before it completely stopped producing power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing into trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the cable providing power to the crankshaft position sensor was routed next to the exhaust system and that it had melted. Subsequently, one of the wires electrically shorted to the engine block, which rendered the electronic fuel injection system inoperative. Replacement of the damaged cable restored the fuel injection system to normal function. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2013, about 1445 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Sonex, N293SX, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Waxhaw, North Carolina. The private pilot incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which had originated from Anson County Airport (AFP), Wadesboro, North Carolina, about 1400, and was destined for Triple Tree Airport (SC00), Woodruff, South Carolina. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Following an uneventful first flight of the day from Cox Airport (NC81), Apex, North Carolina, to AFP, the pilot serviced the airplane with 5.6 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel before preparing to depart for SC00. The pilot and a friend flying a second amateur-built experimental airplane then departed and climbed to 3,000 feet msl. After establishing the airplane at the cruise altitude, the pilot leaned the engine's fuel mixture, initially reaching a high exhaust gas temperature of 1,415 degrees Fahrenheit, and ultimately to temperatures between 1,325 and 1,350 degrees. About 15 to 20 minutes later, the pilot noticed that the engine rpm had dropped from the previously established 2,600 to 1,800. The engine continued to operate at this reduced power setting for between 30 and 60 seconds before it ceased producing power completely. The pilot began diverting to a nearby airport, and during the descent attempted to restart the engine 3 times to no avail. About 2 miles from the diversionary airport, the pilot realized that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude available to reach the runway, so he began to slow the airplane to an airspeed just above the stall speed in preparation for impact with the trees below. About 5 feet above the trees, the airplane stalled and the right wing dropped and contacted the trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. After coming to rest, the pilot utilized a handheld radio to contact the pilot of the other airplane to request assistance. The experimental amateur-built airplane was equipped with a Jabiru 3300L engine, which had been modified with the installation of a Simple Digital System EM-5 electronic fuel injection system. The airplane's airworthiness certificate was issued on October 17, 2008, and the pilot/builder/owner/repairman completed its most recent condition inspection on April 25, 2013. At the time of the accident, the airframe and engine had accumulated 189 total hours of operation. The engine was not able to be test run following the accident due to impact-related damage. A detailed examination of the engine revealed that the insulation of the fuel injection system's crankshaft position sensor cable had melted, and the sensor's power wire had electrically shorted to the engine block. When power was applied to the fuel injection system, it immediately entered a "safeshut-down" state. When the damaged cable was disconnected from the system and removed, the system powered normally, but reported the missing sensor. Finally, the cable was replaced, and a subsequent test of the system found that it operated normally when rotating the propeller by hand. The pilot stated that he believed that the failure of the cable's insulation was precipitated by its proximity to the engine exhaust system. He further added that it was not customary for him to allow the exhaust gas temperature to reach 1,415 degrees, and that during this flight the brief temperature excursion combined with the cable's proximity to the exhaust system ultimately lead to the rapid breakdown of the insulation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N293SX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N293SX-2014-02-12), registration cancelled 2014-02-12, S/N 293, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CROWDER MICHAEL H SONEX - Registry model: [Crowder Michael H SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/crowder-michael-h-sonex) (registry code 056265Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 293 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 183 - Engines: JABIRU 3300L 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 25, 2013, 6 hours before - Departed: AFP, WADESBORO, NC - Destination: SC00, WOODRUFF, SC - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 23, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 315 total, 179 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KSVH, 12 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 20130906017509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130906017509A), Sep 6, 2013: Crowder Michael H SONEX, Waxhaw, NC, Destroyed. While at cruise alt of 3000' aircraft suffered engine failure at approximately 1440. Pilot attempted to reach N52 but crashed approximatrely one mile from… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 11, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88006. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413198&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413199&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Pilot's Email Message (item 3, .PDF, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Email%20Message-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Electronic Fuel Injection Wiring (Photo Courtesy of Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Electronic%20Fuel%20Injection%20Wiring%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Melted Wiring (Photo Courtesy of Operator) (item 5, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Melted%20Wiring%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Wreckage from Left (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Wreckage%20from%20Left%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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. --- 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.