# NTSB ATL87LA137: Moss Timothy C Quicksilver MX, N53317, Monroe, NC, May 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1987, 19:43 local (23:43 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, NC
- Coordinates: 35.069255, -80.520904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0693&lon=-80.5209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7425
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7425/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA137

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - fluid,fuel - deteriorated (cause)
  - aircraft service - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE THE ULTRALIGHT-TYPE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO A MOWED FIELD OWNED BY HIM. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED A TREE AT THE END OF THE FIELD AND FELL TO THE TERRAIN NOSE-DOWN. THE STUDENT PILOT NOTED THAT THE ACFT WAS FUELED WITH 93 OCTANE AUTOMOTIVE GAS MIXED WITH 2-CYCLE LUBE OIL, AND THAT THE FUEL WAS 6 MONTHS OLD. HE EXPRESSED THE OPINION THAT THE PWR LOSS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE AGE OF THE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53317](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53317-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 4451, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOSS TIMOTHY C QUICKSILVER MX (QUICKSILVE)
- Registry model: [Moses Timothy C QUICKSILVER MX](https://openairdocs.org/model/moses-timothy-c-quicksilver-mx) (registry code 056755J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4451
- Airframe hours: 400
- Engines: ROTAX 503 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Timothy C. Moss
- Registered owner: Timothy C Moses
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: MONROE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 102 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19870508015999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870508015999A), May 8, 1987: Amtr QUICKSILVER, Monroe, NC, Substantial damage. The ultralight aircraft lost engine power on final and hit a tree. Pilot suspects old auto fuel caused the failure.

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.

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