# NTSB MIA91LA128: Donald L. Hedeman SONERAI-II, N4FD, Jacksonville, FL, April 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1991, 12:42 local (16:42 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.359107, -81.510314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3591&lon=-81.5103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA128

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE CARBURETOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - mixture - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - pole

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED ENG DID NOT SOUND AS IF IT WAS PRODUCING FULL POWER ON TAKEOFF. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG QUIT. AS THE PLT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING ON AN ALLEY THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD IN A RIGHT SLIP. THE ACFT THEN BOUNCED INTO THE AIR, TRAVELED 80 FEET, COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE POLE, AND CAME TO REST. AFTER THE ACCIDENT A LARGE AMOUNT OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL LEAKED FROM THE RUPTURED FUEL TANK AND LINES. EXAM OF THE ENG AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THE SPARK PLUGS, PISTONS, AND CYLINDERS HAD EXCESSIVE BLACK SOOT DEPOSITS. THE CARB IDLE ADJUSTING SCREW WAS STRIPPED AND THE MIXTURE CONTROL SCREW HAD RECENT TOOLING MARKS ON IT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATING WITH A RICH FUEL MIXTURE AND THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST IT TO THE PROPER SETTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4FD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4FD-1991-09-18), registration cancelled 1991-09-18, S/N 00267 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DONALD L. HEDEMAN SONERAI-II
- Registry model: [Hedeman Donald L SONERAI-II](https://openairdocs.org/model/hedeman-donald-l-sonerai-ii) (registry code 05659J7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 00267
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1860 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Millhof, Gerald N.
- Registered owner: Millhof, Gerald N.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: CRG, Craig Municipal, runway 23, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 575 total, 84 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 1 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 19910427012779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910427012779A), Apr 27, 1991: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Jacksonville, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On forced landing engine quit on climbout. Struck pole. Carb idle adjustment screw stripped. Prior mixture problems

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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