The Airplane Came To Rest Inverted In A Soybean Field About 1,250 Ft From The Start Of The Takeoff Roll

Location: Sulphur Springs, IN Accident Number: CEN24FA346
Date & Time: September 10, 2024, 13:45 Local Registration: N966DP
Aircraft: Sonex Aircraft Sonex Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 10, 2024, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Sonex experimental airplane, N966DP, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Sulphur Springs, Indiana. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to a witness, the pilot stated he was going to conduct a short local flight. The pilot, who hangered 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 takeoff. Due to terrain obscuration, the witness lost sight of the airplane shortly after the initial takeoff roll. The witness observed a dust cloud and had not realized the airplane had crashed. The witness, who did not observe the airplane become airborne, then responded to the grass airstrip and observed the airplane inverted in an adjacent soybean field. The witness extricated the pilot and rendered aid until first responders arrived.

The airplane came to rest inverted in a soybean field about 1,250 ft from the start of the takeoff roll. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to the flight control surfaces. The flaps were in the retracted position. The canopy was found locked and secured. The engine was functionally tested on the airframe at various throttle settings with no anomalies noted.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov