# NTSB LAX02LA051: Vernon Sonerai IIL, N6399D, Camarillo, CA, December 17, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 17, 2001, 12:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.2, -119.083335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2000&lon=-119.0833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 53925 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53925/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA051 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control on the landing rollout. Factors were the owner/pilot's inadequate remedial design changes and the freshly plowed field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft/equipment inadequate, owner/builder (contributing factor) - remedial action - inadequate, owner/builder (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor) - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed (contributing factor) ## Analysis On the landing rollout the airplane departed the runway and came to rest inverted in an adjacent field. The adjacent field had recently been plowed, and contained furrows. The airplane traveled perpendicular to the furrows and nosed over. The purpose of the flight was to practice maneuvers, and fulfill the experimental operating certificate limitations intial 40-hour requirement. The pilot had accrued 5 hours of flight time on the airplane. When he returned to land, he noted a crosswind, but did not believe that it would have an affect on the landing. There were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane by the pilot. Of note in the pilot's written statement was the directional instability that he encountered during takeoffs in the 7 hours that were placed on the airplane within the previous year. He made several modifications, mostly rigging changes to the tailwheel, to improve the takeoff characteristics. While in contact with the Sonerai technical representative, the owner stated that there were plans to convert the conventional landing gear airplane to a tricycle landing gear. The proposed modification would solve the instability problem. ## Factual narrative On December 17, 2001, about 1250 Pacific standard time, a Vernon Sonerai II, N6399D, lost directional control on the landing rollout on runway 26, and came to rest inverted in an adjacent field at the Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, California. The experimental airplane was operated by the owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane departed Camarillo about 1000. The Safety Board investigator interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice maneuvers, as well as to fulfill the experimental certificate operating limitations initial 40-hour requirement. He indicated that he had accrued 5 hours of flight time in the airplane, which was also the total time on the airplane. After departing Camarillo airspace, the pilot flew towards Santa Paula, about 10 miles away, to practice maneuvers. He flew about 1.5 hours before returning to Camarillo for landing. He noted a slight crosswind on landing, but nothing unusual. In the pilot's written statement to the Safety Board, he stated that after touchdown the airplane became directionally unstable with increasing amplitude until the airplane was facing perpendicular to the runway. The airplane then departed the runway, and traveled perpendicular to the furrows present in the infield of the airport. Of note in the pilot's written statement was the directional instability that he encountered during takeoffs in the 7 hours that were placed on the airplane. He made several modifications, mostly rigging changes to the tail wheel, to improve the takeoff characteristics. While in contact with the Sonerai technical representative, the owner stated that there were plans to convert the conventional landing gear airplane to a tricycle landing gear. The proposed modification would solve the instability problem, "the resulting mass induced control signals are stabilizing instead of destabilizing." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6399D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6399D-2005-06-15), registration cancelled 2005-06-15, S/N 001, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vernon Sonerai IIL - Registry model: [Flippo Robert Vernon SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/flippo-robert-vernon-sonerai-ii) (registry code 05607KK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Revmaster 2100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/revmaster-2100) (registry code 52550, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 14 - Engines: Revmaster R2100-DCDI 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert V. Flippo - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 2001, 5 hours before - Departed: CMA, Camarillo, CA - Destination: CMA, Camarillo, CA - Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 9, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 400 total, 1 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: CMA ## 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 20011217033759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011217033759A), Dec 17, 2001: Amtr SONERAI2, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 17, 2001, about 1150 hours pacific standard time, a vernon sonerai ii, N6399D, an experimental airplane, lost directional control on the… 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.