Amateur-built SONERAI II L accident near Lincoln, North Dakota, July 11, 1998
On July 11, 1998 at about 2:25 pm local time, a amateur-built SONERAI II L, registered N317WM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lincoln, North Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of engine power due to a corroded ignition wire. Related factors were the tailwind, and ditch.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 1998 · about 2:25 pm local time
- Place
- Lincoln, North Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SONERAI II L SONERAI II
- Registration
- N317WM · registry record · serial 559
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot said that the engine suffered a total loss of power and he initiated a forced landing to a dirt road. On approach to the road he realized that the landing would have a tailwind. He then attempted to turn the airplane more into the wind; however, he temporarily lost control. Coincident with his recovery of control of the airplane, the landing was made in a ditch. During the rollout, the airplane nosed over. A subsequent examination of the engine revealed a corroded wire in the electronic (automotive) ignition system of the amateur built airplane.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,565 hours in all; 108 in this make and model; 54 in the last 90 days; 27 in the last 30 days; 1,535 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 107 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 9, 1998; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 82-2-DEH (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JMS Jamestown ND at 1:45 pm
- Destination: BIS Bismarck ND
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from BIS, 3 miles away
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.
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.