# NTSB FTW96LA367: Jackson Sonerai I, N103HJ, Santa Fe, NM, September 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1996, 18:08 local (Sep 2, 1996, 00:08 UTC) - Place: Santa Fe, NM - Location: 35.6870° N, 105.9378° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Fe, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6870&lon=-105.9378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA367 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19963/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA367 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. The lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The airplane was on a flight from Questa, New Mexico, to Moriarty, New Mexico. After departing Questa, an intermediate stop was made at Taos Municipal Airport, Taos, New Mexico, for fuel; however, there was no fuel available. Approximately 24 minutes after departing Taos, while in cruise flight at 9,500 feet MSL, the engine lost power. A forced landing was made in an open field, and during the landing roll, the airplane 'flipped over the nose.' A witness reported hearing the airplane's engine 'stop,' and observed the airplane in a 'glide.' The witness also heard the engine 'start and stop' several times. An examination of the fuel system revealed that the expansion fuel cap had separated during ground impact, and the only evidence of fuel was a slight odor. The pilot reported that there was no fuel visible on the clear plastic tube, which served as a fuel quantity gauge at the time the engine lost power. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1996, at 1808 mountain daylight time, a Jackson Sonerai I, N103HJ, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of power near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Questa, New Mexico, about 1723, and was en route to Moriarty, New Mexico. The pilot reported the following information to the FAA inspector. The first leg of the flight from Moriarty to Questa took approximately one hour. After arriving at Questa he was unable to start the aircraft for the second leg of the flight. Both engine magnetos were replaced. After departing Questa, an intermediate stop was made at Taos Municipal Airport, Taos, New Mexico, for fuel. However, there was no fuel available. Approximately 24 minutes after departing Taos, while in cruise flight at 9,500 feet MSL, the engine lost power. A forced landing was initiated to an open field, and during the landing roll, the aircraft "flipped over the nose." A witness reported in a written statement observing and hearing the following information. The airplane appeared to be attempting to land at the Santa Fe Airport. At approximately 1,000 feet AGL the airplane's engine lost total power. While the airplane was in a "glide," he heard the engine try to restart several times; however, each time it only "sputtered and quit." An examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed damage to the rudder, the landing gear, both wing tips, and the fuselage. An examination of the fuel system revealed that the expansion fuel cap had separated during ground impact, and the only evidence of fuel was a slight odor. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that there was no fuel visible on the clear plastic tube which serves as a fuel quantity gauge, at the time the engine lost power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N103HJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N103HJ-2016-08-05), registration cancelled 2016-08-05, S/N 003, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jackson SONERAI I - Registry model: [Jackson Homer D JACKSON SONERAI I](https://openairdocs.org/model/jackson-homer-d-jackson-sonerai-i) (registry code 05620YV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 003 - Airframe hours: 126 - Engines: Continental C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Matthew L. Thomas - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: SKX, TAOS, NM - Destination: 0E0, MORIARTY, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 650 total, 28 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SAF, 6 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 19960901025529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960901025529A), Sep 1, 1996: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Santa Fe, NM, Substantial damage. No fuel at fuel stop then ran out en route to another. Nosed over landing. Near Santa Fe. (-23) on September 1, 1996, at 1808 mountain daylight time a jackson… 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.