# NTSB SEA08LA054: Hein Sonex, N365SX, Murrieta, CA, December 28, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 28, 2007, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Murrieta, CA - Coordinates: 33.572776, -117.234443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5728&lon=-117.2344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67318 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67318/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA054 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot reported that during cruise flight, the engine lost power. The pilot was able to restart the engine momentarily before it lost power a second time as he initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear encountered a hole and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed structural damage to the horizontal stabilizer and rudder. No evidence of fuel was observed on the ground surrounding the airplane or leaking from the airplane. No fuel was observed within the airframe fuel sump. The pilot reported to local law enforcement shortly after the accident that he "believes he possibly ran out of fuel." ## Factual narrative On December 28, 2007, about 1130 Pacific standard time, an amateur built Hein Sonex experimental airplane, N365SX, made a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Murrieta, California. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The personal flight originated from the Flabob Airport (RIR), Riverside, California, at 0930. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after a non eventful flight, he descended from 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl) to 3,500 feet msl. A few minutes later, the engine lost power. The pilot stated he was able to restart the engine momentarily but it lost power a second time. He initiated a forced landing to a nearby open field. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear struck a hole and the airplane nosed over. The pilot added that prior to departure, he refueled the airplane with 100 low lead fuel until he could "touch the gas with his finger." Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted within an open field. The horizontal stabilizer and rudder were structurally damaged. The inspector stated that there was no evidence of fuel on the ground at the accident site or leaking from the airplane. No fuel was observed in the airframe fuel sump. According to a Murrieta Police Department deputy, shortly after the accident, the pilot stated that he "believes he possibly ran out of fuel." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N365SX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N365SX-2010-04-09), registration cancelled 2010-04-09, S/N 365, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hein Sonex - Registry model: [Hein Richard A SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/hein-richard-a-sonex) (registry code 05622RE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 365 - Airframe hours: 11.5 - Engines: Jabiru 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 20, 2007, 0.5 hours before - Departed: RIR, Riverside, CA - Destination: RIR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; last flight review June 19, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 20 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: RIV, 19 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 20071228830099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071228830099A), Dec 28, 2007: Amtr SONEX, Murrieta, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft experienced a power loss and landed in an open field, resulting in separation of left main landing gear, collapse of nose gear and came to rest… 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.