Crowder Michael H SONEX N293SX

Summary

On 6 September 2013 at about 18:45 local time, a Crowder Michael H SONEX registered N293SX was involved in an accident near Waxhaw, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 September 2013 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Waxhaw, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.8639, -80.7481

Aircraft

Crowder Michael H SONEX

Registration

N293SX

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wadesboro → Woodruff

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13LA405

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot/owner/builder’s improper routing of the engine’s crankshaft position sensor cable next to the engine’s exhaust system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power in flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

About 15 to 20 minutes after establishing the airplane in cruise flight, the pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the experimental amateur-built airplane, noticed that the engine rpm had dropped from the previously established 2,600 to 1,800. The engine continued to operate at this reduced power setting for about 30 to 60 seconds before it completely stopped producing power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing into trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the cable providing power to the crankshaft position sensor was routed next to the exhaust system and that it had melted. Subsequently, one of the wires electrically shorted to the engine block, which rendered the electronic fuel injection system inoperative. Replacement of the damaged cable restored the fuel injection system to normal function.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.