Pilot Debrief

GIRARDEAU SAMUEL G Sonex-A near Martinsburg, WV — 2026-04-04

Investigation ongoingERA26LA162
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Date
2026-04-04
Location
Martinsburg, WV, USA
Airport
MRB
Aircraft
GIRARDEAU SAMUEL G Sonex-A
Registration
N106D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On April 4, 2026, about 1339 eastern daylight time, a Girardeau Samuel G Sonex-A airplane, N106D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Martinsburg, WV. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that 7 to 8 minutes after takeoff from Eastern WV Regional Airport (MRB), the engine exhaust gas temperatures (EGT) began to rise, while operating with a full rich mixture. When the EGTs continued to increase, he elected to return to the airport. Shortly thereafter, while returning to the airport, at about 2,500 ft altitude, the engine began to sputter and experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control. Unable to reach the airport, he conducted an emergency landing to an open field. After touchdown, he was unable to stop the airplane and subsequently impacted a fence and crossed a road before coming to rest against another fence. A metal fence post pierced the fuselage which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (partial) · Enroute
  • Engine Failure Enroute
View NTSB preliminary report

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