Sonex Aircraft SONEX accident near Sulphur Springs, Indiana, September 10, 2024
On September 10, 2024 at about 5:45 pm local time, a 2021 Sonex Aircraft SONEX, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N966DP, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Sulphur Springs, Indiana (Roberts Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 10, 2024 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Sulphur Springs, Indiana · Roberts Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sonex Aircraft SONEX, built 2021, amateur-built
- Registration
- N966DP · registry record · serial 1006
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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 on ground during takeoff defining event
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 890 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 25, 2020
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10.7 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 11, 2023; 1.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aerovee 2180 (piston); 11 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KMIE, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMIE 101753Z 18006KT 10SM CLR 27/11 A3016 RMK AO2 SLP204 T02720111 10278 20111 58011
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN24FA346.