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NTSB Report
June 8, 1989 · Job Sonerai II · N288LJ
Fowlerville, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fowlerville, MI
Aircraft
Job Sonerai II
Tail Number
N288LJ
Operator
Ronald C Cooper
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI89DEC05
THE PILOT COMPLETED TAXI TESTS ON THE AIRCRAFT AND ACCELERATED FOR TAKEOFF ON THE FIRST FLIGHT FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE. DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM THE PRIVATE SOD STRIP, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND FELL 50 FEET TO GROUND. THE PILOT STATES HE NOTED FORWARD AND SIDE VISIBILITY FROM THE COCKPIT WAS LIMITED AND THAT HE BECAME PREOCCUPIED WITH INSTRUMENTS AFTER LIFTOFF. HE NOTICED TREE BRANCHES AHEAD AS THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE PILOT WAS THE OWNER OF THE AIRSTRIP.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S DISCONTINUING VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SCAN GAGES BEFORE CLEARING A KNOWN OBSTACLE ON THE DEPARTURE PATH FROM THE RUNWAY. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT IS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MODEL AIRPLANE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT COMPLETED TAXI TESTS ON THE AIRCRAFT AND ACCELERATED FOR TAKEOFF ON THE FIRST FLIGHT FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE. DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM THE PRIVATE SOD STRIP, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND FELL 50 FEET TO GROUND. THE PILOT STATES HE NOTED FORWARD AND SIDE VISIBILITY FROM THE COCKPIT WAS LIMITED AND THAT HE BECAME PREOCCUPIED WITH INSTRUMENTS AFTER LIFTOFF. HE NOTICED TREE BRANCHES AHEAD AS THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE PILOT WAS THE OWNER OF THE AIRSTRIP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:10 EDT
Nearest AirportGlover Field (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftJob Sonerai II
Tail NumberN288LJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRonald C Cooper
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · 7499 EVAS · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO