# NTSB SEA90LA082: Robert Van Scoyoc Soneria IIL, N3229Z, Ellensburg, WA, May 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1990, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Ellensburg, WA
- Coordinates: 46.969047, -120.47071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9690&lon=-120.4707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA082

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING, CAUSED BY THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM ELLENSBURG AIRPORT AND WAS CLIMBING ON DOWNWIND WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY FOR THE EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ROUGH TERRAIN OFF THE AIRPORT, AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATE MODERATE TO SEVERE CARB ICING CONDITIONS EXISTED. THE PILOT HAD NOT APPLIED CARB HEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3229Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3229Z-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 1023, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBERT VAN SCOYOC SONERIA IIL (SONERIA II)
- Registry model: [Van Scoyoc Robert SONERAI II L](https://openairdocs.org/model/van-scoyoc-robert-sonerai-ii-l) (registry code 05659SB) (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: 1023
- Airframe hours: 123
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN UNKNOWN 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott D. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1989, 30 hours before
- Destination: FHR, FRIDAY HARBOR, WA
- Airport: ELN, Bowers

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 130 total, 26 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMP, 40 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 19900521016889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900521016889A), May 21, 1990: Amtrmo SONERAI2, Ellensburg, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind departure. Landed off airport. Hit fence and ditch. Severe carburetor icing conditions.

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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