Amateur-built SONERAI IIL accident near De Kalb, Illinois, June 6, 1993
On June 6, 1993 at about 4:45 pm local time, a amateur-built SONERAI IIL, registered N247RJ, was substantially damaged in an accident near De Kalb, Illinois (Dekalb Taylor Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 6, 1993 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- De Kalb, Illinois · Dekalb Taylor Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SONERAI IIL SONERAI II
- Registration
- N247RJ · registry record · serial 999
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF IN A 12 KT, 80 DEGREE LEFT CROSSWIND, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT EVEN AFTER APPLYING STICK AND RUDDER CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A RUNWAY LIGHT/SIGN JUST AS THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO GET AIRBORNE. AFTER THE PILOT STOPPED THE AIRCRAFT ON GRASS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THE LEFT AILERON WAS FOUND TO BE DISCONNECTED FROM ITS ACTUATING ARM.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 400 hours in all; 160 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 340 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 165 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 2, 1993; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 925 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Monnett VW 2020 CC. (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: DPA West Chicago IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 4,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N247RJ the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.