# NTSB SEA92LA074: Moore Sonerai 1, N27127, Harrisburg, OR, April 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1992, 17:30 local (Apr 11, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Harrisburg, OR
- Coordinates: 44.269004, -123.050239 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2690&lon=-123.0502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41655
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41655/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA074

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ALTITUDE SUFFICIENT TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH TERRAIN WHILE PERFORMING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS AS A RESULT OF HIS ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOTS DISREGARD OF THE AIRPLANE'S OPERATING LIMITATIONS WHICH PROHIBITED ACROBATIC FLIGHT, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR THE TYPE OF OPERATION BEING CONDUCTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, other
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT/OWNER HAD PERFORMED ACROBATIC MANEUVERS IN HIS HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE, INCLUDING ROLLS, AND HAD RECENTLY STARTED PERFORMING LOOPS. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT, BUT ON-SCENE EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. THE VOLKSWAGEN ENGINE EQUIPPED AIRPLANE HAD A GRAVITY FED FUEL SYSTEM WHICH WOULD NOT PROVIDE A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS INVERTED DURING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS. EVIDENCE INDICATES THE PROPELLER WAS NOT TURNING AT IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE, AS CERTIFICATED, WAS PROHIBITED FROM ACROBATIC FLIGHT. THE PILOT WAS ISSUED A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE IN 1983. A PERSON WHO LIVED WITH THE PILOT FOR 3 YRS HAD RECENTLY MOVED FROM HIS HOUSE DUE TO WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND USE OF MARIJUANA. THE TOXICOLOGICAL REPORT ON THE PILOT SHOWED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.105%, AND A 0.002 UG/ML LEVEL OF CARBOXYLIC ACID (MARIJUANA) WAS ALSO DETECTED IN HIS BLOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27127](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27127-1993-04-14), registration cancelled 1993-04-14, S/N 428 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOORE SONERAI 1
- Registry model: [Moore Craig D SONERAI I](https://openairdocs.org/model/moore-craig-d-sonerai-i) (registry code 05659RL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 428
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1500 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Moore, Craig D.
- Registered owner: Moore, Craig D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG, 11 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 19920410009539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920410009539A), Apr 10, 1992: Amtrmo SONERAI, Harrisburg, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted vertical. Observed in aerobatic flight in area. Test positive alcohol and marijuana. Non aerobatic craft.

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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