Stephen J Donahue SONEX

Aircraft Manufacturer: Stephen J Donahue

Model: SONEX

Aircraft Details

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer Stephen J Donahue
Manufacturer Serial Number 05641CC
Model SONEX
Category Land
Builder Certification Not Type Certificated
Aircraft Type Fixed wing single engine
Weight Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight)
Engine Type 4 Cycle
Number of Engines 1 engine
Number of Seats 2 seats
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Safety Analysis

Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.

100%
Identity Confirmed

Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).


21 exact, 10 recovered, 0 provisional

Methodology
31
Recorded GA Accidents

Total recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.


5 fatal accidents.

16.1% of recorded accidents were fatal.

403
Currently Registered

Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.


5,809

Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).


Comparison

Within its peer cohort

Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).

This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →

Model class Share of cohort
Accidents
0.8%
Exposure
0.7%
Time series

Accidents by year

Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →

Investigations take 12–36 months to finalise, so the trailing years come in incomplete. Recent years are adjusted upward for that lag. Observed counts show as solid bars, the lag-adjusted estimate shows hatched.

2008 – 2026 Total 31
Accidents by year Accidents by year (total 31 observed): 2008 1, 2009 4, 2010 3, 2011 1, 2012 2, 2013 3, 2014 1, 2015 2, 2016 2, 2017 3, 2018 2, 2019 1, 2020 2, 2021 1, 2024 1, 2025 1, 2026 1. 2 4 6 8 0 1 '08 4 '09 3 '10 1 '11 2 '12 3 '13 1 '14 2 '15 2 '16 3 '17 2 '18 1 '19 2 '20 1 '21 1 '24 1 '25 3 '26
Composition

Phase of flight

Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.

7 categories Total 31
Initial climb 7
Enroute 6
Approach 6
Landing 5
Takeoff 3
Maneuvering 2
Emergency descent 2
Causes

Finding category

Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.

NTSB top-level codes Total 84
Personnel issues 35
Aircraft 34
Environmental issues 8
Not determined 6
Organizational issues 1
Outcomes

Injury severity

NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.

Highest per accident Total 31
None 13
Serious 8
Fatal 5
Minor 5

Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (31)

Recorded Accidents

All 32 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.

Date Location Tail Damage Highest injury Phase of flight Finding categories
Martinsburg, WV N106D Substantial None Enroute unknown
Tellico Plains, TN N67BG Substantial Serious Takeoff unknown
Auburn, WA N920MB Substantial None Initial climb Aircraft
Malone, FL N432SX Substantial Fatal Maneuvering Not determined
Pecatonica, IL N610DJ Substantial Serious Approach Aircraft, Personnel issues
Upland, CA N1222C Substantial None Emergency descent Aircraft, Environmental issues
Langley, WA N612RF Substantial Serious Maneuvering Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Lodi, WI N393SX Substantial Serious Approach Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues
Corona, CA N322JS Substantial None Takeoff Environmental issues, Personnel issues
Garfield, WA N255BZ Substantial None Enroute Aircraft, Personnel issues
Mercey Hot Springs, CA N801SX Substantial Minor Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Methuen, MA N315AL Substantial Fatal Approach Personnel issues, Aircraft
Lodi, WI N393SX Substantial None Prior to flight Aircraft, Personnel issues
Jesup, GA N97GR Substantial Serious Emergency descent Aircraft, Personnel issues
Morganton, NC N7035Z Substantial None Initial climb Aircraft, Personnel issues
Wolcottville, IN N683DB Substantial Minor Enroute Personnel issues, Aircraft
Fawnskin, CA N91922 Substantial Fatal Maneuvering Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Wellington, FL N732SX Destroyed Fatal Prior to flight Aircraft, Personnel issues
Palatine, NY N68VF Substantial None Approach Not determined
Waxhaw, NC N293SX Substantial Minor Prior to flight Personnel issues, Aircraft
Naples, FL N634SX Substantial Serious Enroute Aircraft, Personnel issues, Not determined
Crossville, TN N198PC Substantial Serious Initial climb Personnel issues, Not determined, Aircraft
Chapmansboro, TN N484PC Substantial Minor Initial climb Aircraft, Personnel issues
Gardner, KS N563 Substantial None Approach Aircraft, Personnel issues
Buffalo, NY N469SA Substantial None Takeoff Aircraft, Personnel issues

Page 1 of 2 (showing accidents 1–25 of 32).

Data presented on this website is sourced directly from official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records. To ensure accuracy, we try not to correct issues such as improper punctuation, spelling errors, empty fields, or unusual labels like "SALE REPORTED" for a registrant. We make every effort to present information as it appears in the FAA database. This website is not affiliated with any government agency.