Mechanical & Engine Failure · NTSB CEN23FA410
SONEX AIRCRAFT SONEX — Dowagiac, MI
| Date | September 10, 2023 |
| Location | Dowagiac, MI |
| Aircraft | SONEX AIRCRAFT SONEX (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Landing Off-field or emergency landing |
| Pilot age | 82 |
| Pilot total time | 736 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Ignition system-Magneto/distributor-Failure
What happened
The pilot departed for a local flight and an alert notice (ALNOT) was issued when the pilot did not return. A search effort concluded four days later when the wreckage was found in a heavily wooded area about 4 miles from the departure airport. No ADS-B data associated with the airplane, or the accident flight was available. At the time of the on-scene examination, the transponder was observed in the OFF position.
Impact signatures on the propeller were consistent with the propeller not rotating at impact. Examination of the engine revealed that the ignition distributor rotor was fractured and disconnected from its driveshaft. This resulted in a total loss of engine power when the ignition system became inoperative due to the rotor failure. No other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were found with the airframe or engine.