# NTSB ATL03LA102: Collier Quickie, N389Q, Alexander, AL, May 31, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2003, 13:17 local (18:17 UTC) - Place: Alexander, AL - Coordinates: 32.908889, -85.95111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9089&lon=-85.9511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57163 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57163/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA102 ## Probable cause The loss engine of power due to undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during climb out the engine began to emit smoke. The pilot attempted to return to the airport for an emergency landing. During the approach to land, the cockpit filled with smoke and the engine began to run rough. While on final approach to land the airplane collided with trees. Examination of the engine revealed that it produced compression on both cylinders when the crankshaft was rotated. The spark plugs were tan in color, and signs of fuel were noted on the spark plug electrodes. The ignition wiring harness on the engine was twist tied in several places, and covered with electrical tape. The fuel tank contained approximately a half a tank of fuel. Examination of the exhaust system revealed that the exhaust muffler was vented outside of the airframe under the engine compartment. There were no breaches in the exhaust system. The aircraft maintenance logs were not recovered for examination. At the conclusion of the examination no defects with the engine or airframe were found. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2003, at 1317 central daylight time, a Collier, Quickie, N389Q, registered to a private owner and operated by a student pilot, collided with trees while conducting an emergency landing at the Thomas C. Russell Field, Alexander City, Alabama. Visual conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Alexander City, Alabama, on May 31, 2003, at 1300. According to the pilot, during climb out the engine began to emit smoke. The pilot attempted to return to the airport for an emergency landing. During the approach to land, the cockpit filled with smoke and the engine began to run rough. While on final approach to land the airplane collided with trees at the approach end of runway. Examination of the engine revealed that it produced compression on both cylinders when the crankshaft was rotated. The spark plugs were tan in color, and signs of fuel were noted on the spark plug electrodes. The ignition wiring harness on the engine was twist tied in several places, and covered with electrical tape. The fuel tank contained approximately a half a tank of fuel. Examination of the exhaust system revealed that the exhaust muffler was vented outside of the airframe under the engine compartment. There were no breaches in the exhaust system. The aircraft maintenance logs were not recovered for examination. During the examination, no mechanical defects with the engine or airframe were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N389Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N389Q-2017-03-10), registration cancelled 2017-03-10, S/N 389, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Collier Quickie - Registry model: [Collier Gary J QUICKIE](https://openairdocs.org/model/collier-gary-j-quickie) (registry code 05645DG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 39Q - Engines: Rotax 447 40 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Annabel - Registered owner: James Annabel - Departed: ALX, ALEXANDER CITY, AL - Airport: ALX, Thomas C Russell Fld, runway 18, 5,417 × 96 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 24; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: center ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: ALX ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030531009959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030531009959A), May 31, 2003: Amtr QUICKIE, Alexander City, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 31, 2003, at approximately 13:00 hours local time, Mr. James annable, who was the pilot in command, departed Alexander City airport in an amateur… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.