# NTSB ERA26LA162: Girardeau Samuel G Sonex-A, N106D, Martinsburg, WV, April 4, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: April 4, 2026, 13:39 local (17:39 UTC)
- Place: Martinsburg, WV
- Coordinates: 39.383681, -77.994534 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3837&lon=-77.9945&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA162
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA162

## Preliminary report

On April 4, 2026, about 1339 eastern daylight time, a Girardeau Samuel G Sonex-A airplane, N106D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Martinsburg, WV. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that 7 to 8 minutes after takeoff from Eastern WV Regional Airport (MRB), the engine exhaust gas temperatures (EGT) began to rise, while operating with a full rich mixture. When the EGTs continued to increase, he elected to return to the airport. Shortly thereafter, while returning to the airport, at about 2,500 ft altitude, the engine began to sputter and experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control. Unable to reach the airport, he conducted an emergency landing to an open field. After touchdown, he was unable to stop the airplane and subsequently impacted a fence and crossed a road before coming to rest against another fence. A metal fence post pierced the fuselage which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

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

- [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Girardeau Samuel G SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=056219U), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N106D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N106D), registered now, S/N 0899, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GIRARDEAU SAMUEL G Sonex-A
- Registry model: [Girardeau Samuel G SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/girardeau-samuel-g-sonex) (registry code 056219U) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0899
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 188.1
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 23, 2025
- Departed: MRB, Martinsburg, WV
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: MRB, Eastern Wv Rgnl/Shepherd Fld
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KMRB, 2 nm away
- METAR: METAR KMRB 041553Z 10SM CLR 27/15 A3010

## 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 20260404002919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260404002919A), Apr 4, 2026: Girardeau Samuel G SONEX, Martinsburg, WV, Substantial damage. Sequence of events leading to the accident: On the morning of the flight, the pilot awoke at approximately 8:00 am, feeling well-rested. After having…

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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