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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 2, 1985 · Earl F Folsom Sonerai II · N27EF

Waterbury, CT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Waterbury, CT
Aircraft
Earl F Folsom Sonerai II
Tail Number
N27EF
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC85FNE02

THE HOMEBUILT SONERAI II MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE SOLE OCCUPANT WAS UNINJURED. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. HOWEVER, THERE WAS FUEL IN THE GASCOLATOR TO THE CARBURATOR. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS ROTATED NO SPARK WAS OBSERVED FROM THE MAGNETOS. AFTER THE 'P' LEAD WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH (MANUFACTURED FOR FARM TRACTORS) WAS CYCLED, SPARK WAS OBSERVED FROM THE MAGNETOS.

Full Narrative

THE HOMEBUILT SONERAI II MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE SOLE OCCUPANT WAS UNINJURED. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. HOWEVER, THERE WAS FUEL IN THE GASCOLATOR TO THE CARBURATOR. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS ROTATED NO SPARK WAS OBSERVED FROM THE MAGNETOS. AFTER THE 'P' LEAD WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH (MANUFACTURED FOR FARM TRACTORS) WAS CYCLED, SPARK WAS OBSERVED FROM THE MAGNETOS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:25 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEarl F Folsom Sonerai II
Tail NumberN27EF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · UNKNOWN · Reciprocating · 40
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data