FTW00LA164

NTSB accident investigation · Geiling Sonerai II · Victoria, TX · May 30, 2000

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 30, 2000, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
Place
Victoria, TX
Injuries
1 serious
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N10GXGeiling Sonerai II
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 2, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
20000530004349A
Case key
49366

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a stall.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - initial climb
Airspeed - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Stall - encounteredPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled
Terrain condition - grass

Analysis

The airplane departed from runway 12R, climbed to 100 feet agl, pitched nose-up and initiated a 'short right turn to downwind.' During the turn, the airplane's 'right wing dropped violently,' the nose pitched down and subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground. A witness reported that the engine appeared to be running normally prior to the accident.

Factual narrative

On May 30, 2000, at 1500 central daylight time, a Geiling Sonerai II amateur-built experimental airplane, N10GX, was destroyed when it impacted the ground following a loss of control during the initial takeoff climb from the Victoria Regional Airport, near Victoria, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to a witness, the airplane departed from runway 12R. The airplane climbed to 100 feet agl, pitched nose-up, and made a "short right turn to downwind. The aircraft then stalled, the nose descended to a very low attitude and the aircraft impacted the ground." The witness added that "the engine appeared to be running normally and developing enough power" prior to the accident.

Another witness reported that he observed the airplane climbing as it was entering a turn toward the south-southwest. The airplane's "right wing dropped violently as if it stalled and entered into a spin." Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground.

An FAA inspector, who examined the airplane at the accident site, reported that the fuselage forward of the front seat separated from the airframe and was destroyed by impact forces. He added that the right wing separated from the airframe and the left wing was bent aft.

Multiple attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful.

Aircraft

Registration
N10GX
Reported as
Geiling Sonerai II
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
DG1
Engine
unknown
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Clyde R. Jrogensen
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Departed
VCT
Airport
VCT · Victoria Regional, runway 12R, 4,899 × 150 ft, concrete

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
38
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Rear

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
170° at 10 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
91 °F, dew point 73 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
VCT

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.