# NTSB ERA14LA018: Fuller Van L Sonex, N68VF, Palatine, NY, October 16, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 2013, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Palatine, NY
- Coordinates: 42.983333, -74.51667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9833&lon=-74.5167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88286/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88286
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA018

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a test run and partial teardown of the engine did not reveal any anomalies.

## Findings

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

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Fuller Van L SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05610LK), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Fuller Van L SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05610LK), [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: [Fuller Van L SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05610LK), [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: [Fuller Van L SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05610LK), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the noncertificated engine in his experimental, amateur-built airplane had been indicating low or no oil pressure. He returned the engine to the manufacturer and received an overhauled engine, which he operated for about 30 hours uneventfully. On the day before the accident, the pilot performed a routine 25-hour oil change and valve adjustment and noted no anomalies. On the day of the accident, the pilot departed a grass airstrip for a local flight with 8 gallons of fuel. He overflew the airstrip once and then performed an approach with the intention to land; however, the airplane was too high, so the pilot performed a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot heard two "pops," and the engine lost total power. The propeller did not windmill and came to a complete stop. The airplane was at a low altitude, and the pilot chose to land in a cornfield rather than try to turn back to the runway. During the landing, the right main landing gear lodged in mud, and the airplane nosed over. During a test run, the pilot was able to rotate the propeller and get compression on all four cylinders. He then started the engine, and it ran without hesitation. After shutdown, the pilot removed all of the cylinders and did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions were conducive to the accumulation of serious carburetor icing at cruise power. However, the engine was equipped with a flatslide aerobatic carburetor, which was not susceptible to carburetor ice due to the location that it was mounted to the engine. The reason for the engine power loss could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On October 16, 2013, about 1730 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Sonex, N68VF, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power while on a go-around at Hiserts Airpark (3NY7), Palatine, New York. The sport pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that departed 3NY7 about 1700. The pilot, who was an automobile mechanic, stated that prior to the accident flight, the four-cylinder Great Plains VW 2180 engine had been indicating low or no oil pressure. The pilot returned the engine to the manufacturer and subsequently received an overhauled engine as a replacement. He operated the overhauled engine for about 30 hours uneventfully. During the day prior to the accident, the pilot performed a routine 25-hour oil change and valve adjustment, with no anomalies noted. During the accident flight, the pilot departed the grass airstrip with 8 gallons of gasoline and overflew it once without any difficulties. During the second approach, he intended to land, but was too high and performed a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot heard two "pops" and the engine lost all power. The propeller did not windmill and came to a complete stop. The airplane was at a low altitude and the pilot opted to land in a cornfield, rather than try to turn back to the runway. During the landing, the right main landing gear lodged in mud and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing. After the accident, under the direction of the FAA inspector, the pilot was able to rotate the propeller through and get compression on three cylinders, but then it locked on the fourth cylinder. The pilot moved the propeller backwards slightly and was then able to continue rotation. He subsequently started the engine and it ran without hesitation. The pilot then removed all of the cylinders and did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Schenectady County Airport (SCH), Schenectady, New York, was located about 20 miles southeast of the accident site. The recorded weather at SCH, at 1753, was: wind from 180 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 miles; overcast ceiling at 10,000 feet; temperature 16 degrees C; dew point 12 degrees C; altimeter 29.93 inches Hg. According to an FAA carburetor icing envelope chart, the airplane was susceptible to serious icing at cruise power. However, the pilot reported that the engine was equipped with a flatslide aerobatic carburetor, which was not susceptible to carburetor ice due to the location in which it was mounted to the engine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68VF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68VF), registered now, S/N 68, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FULLER VAN L SONEX
- Registry model: [Fuller Van L SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/fuller-van-l-sonex) (registry code 05610LK) (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: 68
- Year built: 2001
- Airframe hours: 177
- Engines: Great Plains 2180 VW 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clukey Michael J
- Registered owner: Clukey Michael J
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 20, 2013, 30 hours before
- Departed: 3NY7, Palatine, NY
- Destination: 3NY7, Palatine, NY
- Airport: 3NY7, Hiserts Airpark, runway 27, 2,200 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 390 total, 50 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: SCH, 20 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 20131016020739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131016020739A), Oct 16, 2013: Fuller Van L SONEX, Palatine, NY, Substantial damage. On October 16, 2013 at approximately 18:10 certificated sport pilot departed Hisert'S Field (private air strip) to fly the pattern in his Sonex, an…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88286. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410418&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF
- Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF
- FAA Carburetor Icing Chart (item 4, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Chart%20%20-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 1: Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20%20Wreckage%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.

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