# NTSB NYC85FNE02: Earl F. Folsom Sonerai II, N27EF, Waterbury, CT, August 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1985, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Waterbury, CT
- Location: 41.5585° N, 73.0367° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waterbury, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5585&lon=-73.0367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FNE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35622/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FNE02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,ignition switch - inoperative (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - switched off (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - lack of (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT SONERAI II MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE SOLE OCCUPANT WAS UNINJURED. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. HOWEVER, THERE WAS FUEL IN THE GASCOLATOR TO THE CARBURATOR. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS ROTATED NO SPARK WAS OBSERVED FROM THE MAGNETOS. AFTER THE 'P' LEAD WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH (MANUFACTURED FOR FARM TRACTORS) WAS CYCLED, SPARK WAS OBSERVED FROM THE MAGNETOS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27EF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27EF), registered now, S/N 1476L, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EARL F. FOLSOM SONERAI II
- Registry model: [Folsom Earl E SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/folsom-earl-e-sonerai-ii) (registry code 056595E) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01476L
- Airframe hours: 17
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN UNKNOWN 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Earl F. Folsom
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1985, 17 hours before
- Departed: 0XC, OXFORD, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,212 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,156 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N27EF (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC86FNE02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FNE02), Mar 1, 1986: Folsom Sonerai II (N27EF), Middlebury, CT, substantial damage

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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