Sonex TAILWHEEL N935EK

Summary

On 19 December 2020 at about 20:30 local time, a Sonex TAILWHEEL registered N935EK was involved in an accident near Burleson, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 December 2020 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Burleson, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Fort Worth Spinks Airport (FWS)

Coordinates

32.5654, -97.3084

Aircraft

Sonex TAILWHEEL

Registration

N935EK

Category

Airplane

Year built

2019

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA092

1 person died.

A total loss of engine power due to engine seizure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot decision not to orbit the airport, as originally planned.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and builder of the airplane was conducting the airplane’s first flight. The pilot contacted the tower controller and requested to orbit the airport for 30 minutes at 3,500 ft. Shortly after departure, the pilot reported that he was unable to climb and needed to return to the airport. The pilot reported that he had a “sick engine,” and he was “just trying to make the field.” The controller reported to the pilot that smoke appeared to be coming from the engine. Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed the airplane departed from the airport, turned, and flew south for about 2 miles before it turned north back to the airport. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane impacted powerlines and terrain and came to rest inverted about 1 mile south of the airport. During the engine examination oil was present on the dipstick. The oil filter was cut open and fine metal pieces/powder were observed on the filter element, and small metal pieces were observed in the engine’s oil filter port. The engine was seized and could not be rotated by hand. The engine was not dissembled further, and the source of the metal filings was not determined. The loss of engine power was attributed to the seizure of the engine; however, the reason for the engine seizure could not be determined. Investigators were unable to determine why the pilot did not stay over the airport and orbit as originally requested. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.