# NTSB NYC06CA021: Craig Sonerai II LT, N204WC, Ashland, KY, October 31, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 31, 2005, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Ashland, KY - Coordinates: 38.554443, -82.738052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5544&lon=-82.7381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62754/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA021 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control during an emergency landing. A factor in the accident was an unlatched canopy requiring the pilot to hold it closed to maintain aircraft control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, emergency landing after takeoff - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - window,canopy - not secured (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The pilot had completed construction of the amateur built airplane, and was in the process of initial flight testing. The pilot had accumulated 4 hours of total flight time in the accident airplane. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot secured the side-opening canopy by engaging three interconnected 1/4-inch pins, into three 1/4-inch mating sleeves. Except for a significant amount of friction between the pins and mating surfaces, there was no locking mechanism for the canopy. Although the pilot did not experience any difficulties during several prior flights, the canopy opened during the initial climb of the accident flight, about 500 feet agl. When the canopy opened fully, the airplane became uncontrollable. Due to airflow over the canopy, the pilot was unable to refasten the pins, and had to hold the canopy closed with his hands. The pilot was able to partially control the airplane, and perform an emergency landing on a 5,602-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. During the landing, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a berm. ## Factual narrative The pilot had completed construction of the amateur built airplane, and was in the process of initial flight testing. The pilot had accumulated 4 hours of total flight time in the accident airplane. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot secured the side-opening canopy by engaging three interconnected 1/4-inch pins, into three 1/4-inch mating sleeves. Except for a significant amount of friction between the pins and mating surfaces, there was no locking mechanism for the canopy. Although the pilot did not experience any difficulties during several prior flights, the canopy opened during the initial climb of the accident flight, about 500 feet agl. When the canopy opened fully, the airplane became uncontrollable. Due to airflow over the canopy, the pilot was unable to refastened the pins, and had to hold the canopy closed with his hands. The pilot was able to partially control the airplane, and perform an emergency landing on a 5,602-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. During the landing, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a berm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N204WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N204WC-2018-03-20), registration cancelled 2018-03-20, S/N 071795571, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Craig Sonerai II LT - Registry model: [Craig William H SONERAI II LT](https://openairdocs.org/model/craig-william-h-sonerai-ii-lt) (registry code 05617WK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 071795571 - Engines: Volkswagen 1915CC reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William H. Craig - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: DWU, Ashland, KY - Destination: DWU - Airport: DWU, Ahland-Boyd County Airport, runway 10, 5,602 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 320 total, 4 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F ## 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 20051031025799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051031025799A), Oct 31, 2005: Amtr SONERAI2LT, Ashland, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) Experimental homebuilt aircraft was certificated on 7-31-2005 and had flown approximately 8 hours since then. According to pilot statement: aircraft took… 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.