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October 3, 2021 · Soneral L2 · N9115Y

Minot, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 3, 2021
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Minot, ND
Aircraft
Soneral L2 (1995)
Tail Number
N9115Y
Operator
Jeremy Skalicky
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN22LA007

The pilot prepared for his first flight in the recently acquired airplane, taxied to the runway, and took off. As the airplane climbed into the traffic pattern, the pilot noticed that the engine temperature was high, just under redline. He reduced engine power and the temperature came back to normal. On final approach, he decided that the approach was not as stable as he would have liked so he decided to execute a go-around. During the go-around, the engine did not seem to have much power, and the pilot saw what appeared to be engine oil on the windscreen which obscured his visibility. The pilot decided to land the airplane as soon as possible and executed an abbreviated approach. Just before touchdown on the runway, the airplane stalled and bounced on the runway. The airplane veered off the runway, resulting in structural damage to the forward part of the fuselage and empennage. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any anomalies that could have contributed to the reported partial loss of engine power; however, there was a film of oil on the engine cowl and canopy, which would have obscured the pilot’s forward visibility. It was the pilot’s first flight in the airplane, and he was not familiar with its characteristics and performance. It is likely that, while executing an abbreviated approach, the pilot failed to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and the airplane experiencing an aerodynamic stall and subsequent hard landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack on final landing approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inexperience with the airplane’s performance, and an oil film on the canopy that obscured the pilot’s visibility.

Full Narrative

On October 3, 2021, about 1620 central daylight time, a Soneral L2 airplane, N9115Y, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Minot, North Dakota. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that he prepared for his first flight in the recently acquired airplane. He conducted a preflight, started the engine, and taxied to runway 31 for takeoff at Minot International Airport (MOT). As the airplane climbed into the traffic pattern, the pilot noticed that the engine temperature was high, just under redline. He reduced engine power and the temperature came back to normal. On the downwind, he leveled the airplane and prepared for a landing. On final approach, he decided that he was not as stable as he would have liked and decided to execute a go-around. During the go-around, the engine did not seem to have to have much power, and the pilot saw what appeared to be engine oil on the windscreen which obscured his visibility. The pilot then saw the engine temperature gauge rise to over 500°. Oil pressure was in the normal range. The pilot decided to land the airplane as soon as possible, executed an abbreviated approach, and lined up to land on runway 31. On final approach, a few feet from touchdown, the airplane stalled. The airplane dropped to the runway and bounced a few times. The pilot tried to recover by applying power, but the engine did not seem to have enough power. The airplane listed to the right and veered off the runway, resulting to structural damage to the forward part of the fuselage and empennage. The airplane was examined at the accident site. The two blades of the wooden propeller were shattered, consistent with rotation/power at impact. The propeller was separated from crankshaft and the forward part of the crankshaft was fractured with torsion signatures. The Volkswagen, model 2175CC engine was rotated, and engine drive continuity was confirmed. Throttle cables were connected and had continuity from the cockpit to engine. The fuel distribution system was intact. Oil film was present on top of the engine cowl and canopy. The source of the oil film on the cowl and canopy appeared to come from the crankshaft seal area. After the accident, the pilot stated that he had recently acquired the airplane and it was his first flight in the airplane He was not familiar with its characteristics and performance. Airplane logbooks provided by the pilot showed that the airplane’s last flight was conducted in January of 1995. Additional entries showed that the airplane was ground taxi-tested several times, but not flown. The most recent condition inspection was completed on September 1, 2021, during which, the airplane’s engine was operated for about 3 hours (ground run) with no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 MDT
Nearest AirportMinot Intl (2nm E)
Runway31
Runway Length7700 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSoneral L2
Tail NumberN9115Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJeremy Skalicky
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagon · 2175CC · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 F
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time16:40
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data