Pilot Injured After Monnett Sonerai Veers Off Runway Into Ditch at Cresson Airport

A single-seat Monnett Sonerai suffered a dramatic loss of control after touching down at Bourland Field Airport in Cresson, Parker County, on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The experimental homebuilt aircraft veered off the runway and plunged into a ditch, leaving the pilot injured and prompting a swift technical rescue. The incident unfolded at about 2:30 p.m., as the FAA confirmed the aircraft was an experimental Monnett Sonerai.

Incident Details

The Monnett Sonerai, a single-engine homebuilt aircraft, was on a routine landing when it lost directional stability. The plane’s wheels left the tarmac and slid onto a steeply banked ditch that borders the airport’s runway. According to FAA reports, the aircraft touched down at Bourland Field Airport around 2:30 p.m. and immediately began to veer off the runway. The sudden departure from the paved surface forced the pilot into a ditch that was too steep for a simple roll‑out.

Rescue Operations

Parker County ESD 1 immediately dispatched a battalion chief to the scene. The chief worked with a technical rescue team that set up a system of ropes and pulleys to extract the pilot from the trapped aircraft. Because the ditch was steep, the team used a stokes basket to lift the pilot to safety. Two paramedics stayed on the scene to monitor the pilot’s condition while the rescue team worked to remove him from the aircraft, according to a statement from Cresson Fire Chief Ronald Becker. The chief’s statement emphasized that the team’s quick response was critical to the pilot’s survival.

Aftermath and Immediate Response

Video footage from Texas Sky Ranger captured the rescue in real time. The clip shows the pilot being placed on a stretcher and then transported to an air ambulance. The footage also highlights the use of the stokes basket and the rope system that allowed rescuers to reach the pilot in the ditch. Only the pilot was aboard the aircraft, and his condition after the rescue remains unknown.

FAA Investigation

The FAA has announced that it will investigate the crash. The investigation will focus on the aircraft’s design, flight controls, and the circumstances that caused the loss of runway control. While the pilot was transported to a hospital via air ambulance, no official statement has yet been released regarding his medical status. The FAA’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the incident and the need to understand how an experimental aircraft can behave under landing conditions.

Technical Rescue Details

The rescue team’s rope and pulley arrangement was critical to the pilot’s extraction. The stokes basket, a specialized rescue device, was lowered into the ditch and secured to the aircraft’s frame. The team then hauled the basket upward, allowing the pilot to be transferred onto a stretcher. Paramedics on the ground maintained vital signs and administered first aid while the rescuers worked to keep the pilot stable during the lift.

Video and Public Visibility

The Texas Sky Ranger footage provided a clear view of the entire operation. Viewers could see the pilot’s stretcher being lowered, the rope system in action, and the air ambulance taking off from the airport’s grass strip. The video also captured the calm demeanor of the rescue personnel, highlighting their training and coordination under pressure.

Pilot’s Condition

At the time of the report, the pilot’s condition was unknown. He was flown to a hospital in a nearby city, but no medical update has been released. The lack of information has prompted questions about the severity of his injuries and the outcome of his treatment.

FAA Investigation Focus

The FAA will examine whether the aircraft’s experimental status contributed to the incident. Questions include the design of the landing gear, the aircraft’s handling characteristics, and whether the pilot had adequate training for the specific model. The investigation will also look into any mechanical or environmental factors that may have played a role.

Significance of the Incident

This incident underscores the risks associated with experimental homebuilt aircraft and the importance of rapid emergency response at rural airports. It also highlights the need for thorough safety oversight of experimental aircraft operations. The FAA’s forthcoming investigation will aim to provide insights that could help prevent similar accidents in the future.

Key Takeaways

• A Monnett Sonerai veered off Bourland Field Airport’s runway into a ditch on Dec. 12, 2025.
• Parker County ESD 1’s battalion chief led a technical rescue that used ropes, a stokes basket, and paramedics.
• Video from Texas Sky Ranger shows the pilot being stretchered to an air ambulance; condition remains unknown.
• The FAA will investigate the crash, focusing on the aircraft’s experimental status and landing dynamics.

The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with experimental homebuilt aircraft and the importance of coordinated emergency response at rural airports. While the pilot’s condition is still uncertain, the rescue team’s swift action and the FAA’s investigation will provide insight into preventing similar accidents in the future.