Amateur-built SONEX accident near Waxhaw, North Carolina, September 6, 2013
On September 6, 2013 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 2008 amateur-built SONEX, registered N293SX, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Waxhaw, North Carolina. 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
The pilot/owner/builder’s improper routing of the engine’s crankshaft position sensor cable next to the engine’s exhaust system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power in flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 6, 2013 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Waxhaw, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SONEX, built 2008
- Registration
- N293SX · no longer on the register · serial 293
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 15 to 20 minutes after establishing the airplane in cruise flight, the pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the experimental amateur-built airplane, noticed that the engine rpm had dropped from the previously established 2,600 to 1,800. The engine continued to operate at this reduced power setting for about 30 to 60 seconds before it completely stopped producing power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing into trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the cable providing power to the crankshaft position sensor was routed next to the exhaust system and that it had melted. Subsequently, one of the wires electrically shorted to the engine block, which rendered the electronic fuel injection system inoperative. Replacement of the damaged cable restored the fuel injection system to normal function.
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
- Aircraft inspection event during prior to flight
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise)
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Owner/builder
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control electronic › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control electronic › Malfunction
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Owner/builder
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 315 hours in all; 179 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 237 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 23, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 183 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 25, 2013; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,280 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300L (piston); 189 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AFP Wadesboro NC at 6:00 pm
- Destination: SC00 Woodruff SC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from KSVH, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.