Preliminary information
On April 4, 2026, about 1339 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built 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.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA162 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 4, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Martinsburg, West Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Eastern Wv Rgnl/Shepherd Fld (MRB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Sonex-A
- N-number
- N106D
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2006
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.