# NTSB NYC86FNE02: Folsom Sonerai II, N27EF, Middlebury, CT, March 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1986, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Middlebury, CT
- Location: 41.5279° N, 73.1276° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Middlebury, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5279&lon=-73.1276&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): 30233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FNE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FNE02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS SLOW TO CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF AND HAD REACHED AN ALT OF ONLY 100' AGL AT THE END OF THE 5000' LOND RWY. THE PLT CONTINUED TO STATE THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR RISING TERRAIN APRX 1/2 MILE FROM THE ARPT. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE ROCKY TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN THE NOSE GEAR AND LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSING. A NEW PROPELLER WAS INSTALLED ON THE ACFT PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT, HOWEVER, THE PLT CITED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27EF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27EF), registered now, S/N 1476L, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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: 1476L
- Airframe hours: 27
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN UNK 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Earl Edwin Folsom
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 16, 1985, 27 hours before
- Departed: OXC, MIDDLEBURY, 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,250 total, 26 in this make and model, 1,156 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860301006039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860301006039A), Mar 1, 1986: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Middlebury, CT, Substantial damage. Aircraft with newly installed propeller could not outclimb rising terrain. Gear collapsed striking rocks in field.

## 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 NYC85FNE02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FNE02), Aug 2, 1985: Earl F. Folsom Sonerai II (N27EF), Waterbury, 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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