# NTSB NYC99LA011: Zeidler Sonerai II, N5DZ, Kenton, OH, October 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1998, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Kenton, OH - Coordinates: 40.639514, -83.609313 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6395&lon=-83.6093&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 January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45125/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's premature rotation and failure to obtain/maintain airspeed during the takeoff, which resulted in a stall and impact with the ground. Factors in this accident were the pilot's lack of total experience in tail-wheeled aircraft, and the nose high elevator trim setting. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - elevator trim - excessive (contributing factor) - rotation - premature, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot said he initiated his first takeoff in the tail-wheeled airplane with the elevator trim set at a nose high attitude, and the airplane lifted off the runway early. When the airplane was 5 to 10 feet above the ground, all visual relationship with runway was lost due to the airplane's limited visibility. The pilot further stated that when airplane broke free of ground effect, it stalled and impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed 90 hours of total flight experience, all in tricycle gear aircraft. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 1998, about 1845 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Sonerai II, N5DZ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from the Hardin County Airport (I95), Kenton, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement the pilot said the accident flight was his first flight in the tail-wheeled airplane. After several taxi trips on the runway to establish the airplane's ground handling characteristics, and to familiarize himself with the "visual perspective," a takeoff was initiated. The pilot stated the elevator trim was at a "too nose high attitude." The pilot further stated: "...the aircraft became light on the wheels quite early...once the aircraft was 5-10 feet above the ground, all visual relationship with runway was lost due to the aircraft's limited visibility. Airspeed was 45-50 mph as the airplane ascended to about 20 feet and broke free of ground effect. (Aircraft stall speed is 55-60 mph) At which time the plane stalled straight level and impacted the ground.... Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed 90 hours of total flight experience, all in tricycle gear aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5DZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5DZ-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 223, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zeidler SONERAI II - Registry model: [Zeidler David SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/zeidler-david-sonerai-ii) (registry code 05659Z2) (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: 223 - Airframe hours: 222 - Engines: Hapi 60-2DM 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timothy A. Abke - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1998, 2 hours before - Departed: I95 - Airport: I95, Hardin County, runway 22, 4,203 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 90 total, 26 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AOH, 28 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 19981015035519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981015035519A), Oct 15, 1998: Amtr SONERAI2, Kenton, OH, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 15, 1998, about 1845 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt sonerai ii, N5DZ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after takeoff… 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.