NTSB Factual Report

On July 11, 2008, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Jonsson Sonerai, N8050R, nosed over during landing rollout at Ken Jernstedt Airfield, Hood River, Oregon. A private individual was operating the amateur built airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot held a private pilot certificate, and he was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed Baker City Municipal Airport, Baker City, Oregon, about 1000.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the control stick unexpectedly began buffeting while the airplane was cruising at 3,500 feet mean sea level and 120 miles per hour, and he noticed that the left aileron was becoming detached at its outboard hinge. The pilot immediately flew toward a nearby airfield and landed.

According to the pilot, he observed that another airplane had previously landed in the opposite direction on the same runway, so to ensure adequate clearance from that airplane he landed on the right side of the runway. The pilot additionally reported that he "flew" his airplane onto the runway and landed with a tailwind at a faster than normal airspeed. During rollout, the airplane veered off the side of the runway, encountered an area of soft dirt, and nosed over.

The pilot further reported to the Safety Board investigator that he subsequently examined his airplane. He observed that the outboard of three aileron hinges was separated from the wing. The pilot opined that the location of the hinges on the aileron may not have been adequate to support the aileron during flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the emergency landing roll with a tailwind. Contributing was the partial separation of the left aileron that prompted the pilot to attempt the emergency landing.