# NTSB MKC88LA031: Sonerai 2L, N502WM, St. Louis, MO, December 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1987, 14:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: St. Louis, MO
- Coordinates: 38.649124, -90.529708 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6491&lon=-90.5297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA031

## 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
  - running takeoff - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TAKE OFFS AND LDGS, PIC LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING ROLLOUT. HE ADDED POWER AND STRUCK A SNOWBANK JUST AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE DURING RUNNING TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N502WM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N502WM-2012-04-17), registration cancelled 2012-04-17, S/N 01027L (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SONERAI 2L
- Registry model: [Nelson William M SONERAI II L](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-william-m-sonerai-ii-l) (registry code 05659SV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1027L
- Airframe hours: 12
- Engines: Volkswagen H.A.P.I 60-2 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William M. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1987, 12 hours before
- Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St. Louis, runway 26R, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 619 total, 12 in this make and model, 619 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUS

## 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 19871221073079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871221073079A), Dec 21, 1987: Amtrmo SONERAI2, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Lost control on landing tried to go around lost control again on initial climbout and struck a snowbank.

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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