Fletcher SONERAI-2L N76DJ
30 September 1989 · Interlochen, Michigan, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 30 September 1989 at about 13:45 local time, a Fletcher SONERAI-2L registered N76DJ was involved in an accident near Interlochen, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 13:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Interlochen, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Green Lake (Y88)
- Coordinates
- 44.6397, -85.8294
- Aircraft
- Fletcher SONERAI-2L
- Registration
- N76DJ
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Northport
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI89DEM10
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
LOOSE CYLINDER DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY THE PILOT/OWNER, WHICH RESULTED IN OVERHEATING AND FAILURE OF THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD. THE PRESENCE OF TREES WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. NEW VALVES HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED IN THE ENG. AN EXAM OF THE HOME BUILT ACFT'S ENG REVEALED THE #3 CYLINDER HEAD WAS LOOSE & A HOLE HAD MELTED IN THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 1989 | Cessna 177 | Manistique, Michigan, United States | Kodiak Flying Club | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 Oct 1989 | Cessna T182 | Sodus, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 152 | Lakeville, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 152 | Hillsdale, Michigan, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 Jan 1989 | Cessna T303 | Romeo, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 172H | Bay City, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |