Amateur-built Sonex accident near Cottonwood, Arizona, March 18, 2009
On March 18, 2009 at about 5:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Sonex, registered N997KK, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Cottonwood, Arizona (Cottonwood 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 18, 2009 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cottonwood, Arizona · Cottonwood Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Sonex
- Registration
- N997KK · no longer on the register · serial 0531
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot experienced a total loss of engine power during the first takeoff of the newly completed homebuilt experimental airplane. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. He then executed a forced landing in an open field. During the landing sequence the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when it struck scrub chaparral. Post examination of the airplane and engine by an FAA inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions that would explain the loss of power.
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 engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,883 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 17, 2009
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 5, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aeroconversions Aerovee (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: P52 Cottonwood AZ at 5:29 pm
- Destination: P52 Cottonwood AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from PRC, 20 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.