Sonex SONEX N966DP

Summary

On 10 September 2024 at about 17:45 local time, a Sonex SONEX registered N966DP was involved in an accident near Sulphur Springs, Indiana, 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

10 September 2024 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Sulphur Springs, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Roberts Field (39IN)

Coordinates

40.0012, -85.4278

Aircraft

Sonex SONEX

Registration

N966DP

Category

Airplane

Year built

2021

Engines

1

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

CEN24FA346

1 person died.

The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness reported that the pilot stated that he was going to conduct a short local flight. The pilot, who hangared the airplane at his residence, taxied the airplane from his residence to the private grass airstrip. The witness observed the pilot perform an engine run-up and then proceed to take off. Due to terrain obscuration, the witness lost sight of the airplane shortly after the initial takeoff roll. The witness did not see the airplane become airborne. She then observed the airplane inverted in an adjacent soybean field. She responded to the site, extricated the pilot, and rendered aid until first responders arrived. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. An acquaintance of the pilot stated that it was not uncommon for deer to be grazing in the soybean fields and cross the airstrip; however, there was no evidence of the airplane colliding with wildlife on the runway. The reason for the loss of directional control during the takeoff could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.