Amateur-built SONEX accident near San Angelo, Texas, October 29, 2010
On October 29, 2010 at about 7:30 pm local time, a amateur-built SONEX, registered N234KS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near San Angelo, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 29, 2010 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- San Angelo, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SONEX
- Registration
- N234KS · registry record · serial 0579
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A private pilot and a student pilot were departing a private airfield when they heard a loud bang. The airplane climbed to 100 to 200 feet above ground level when it began to vibrate. The private pilot, who was operating the airplane, remarked that he did not have control of the airplane. The student pilot recalled that the airplane entered a nose-high left turn prior to ground impact. An examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. There was no evidence of a material failure to explain the loud noise prior to the accident; the source of the loud noise was not determined. An alcohol screen conducted on a sample of the private pilot's blood revealed a 0.11 percent blood alcohol level.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Alcohol › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 44 hours in all; 39 in this make and model; 44 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 92 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 1, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Ama/Expr UNKNOWN ENG (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: San Angelo TX at 7:30 pm
- Destination: San Angelo TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 7:51 pm from SJT, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.