# NTSB BFO94LA023: Quicksilver MX, Montville, CT, November 13, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1993, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Montville, CT
- Location: 41.4638° N, 72.1570° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Montville, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4638&lon=-72.1570&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA023

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF HIS UNREGISTERED, EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A 1200 FOOT LONG GRASS STRIP.  ACCORDING TO THE WITNESS, WHO ASSISTED WITH THE ASSEMBLY OF THE AIRPLANE, THE AIRPLANE ACHIEVED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, PITCHED UP AND DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND.  THE WITNESS STATED THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT AND THE PILOT HAD PRACTICED TAXIING EARLIER.  HE STATED THAT DURING THE GROUND ROLL THE AIRPLANE SEEMED TO HAVE FULL POWER AND WAS DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT BEFORE THE PILOT APPEARED TO MAKE A STEEP CLIMB.  THE WITNESS ALSO STATED THAT HE DISASSEMBLED THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.  THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

## Factual narrative

On Saturday, November 13, 1993, about 1300 eastern standard time, an unregistered Quicksilver MX experimental airplane, owned and operated by Allan Cournoyer of Wakefield, Rhode Island, collided with the ground during initial climb at a grass strip in Montville, Connecticut.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured.  The airplane was destroyed.  The flight was conducted under part 14 CFR 91.

According to an FAA Inspector, the pilot of this unregistered airplane was seen by witnesses taking off in an easterly direction on a 1200 foot long grass strip.  According to one of the witnesses, who assisted the pilot in assembling the airplane, this was the airplane's first flight and the pilot had practiced taxiing the airplane earlier.  He stated that during the ground roll the airplane seemed to have full power and was drifting to the right.  It departed the runway and made a steep climb to about 75 feet above the ground; pitched up; the airplane's wings rocked; and, the airplane went into a nose down descent until it collided with the ground.

The same witness stated that he disassembled the airplane after the accident and there was no evidence of mechanical malfunction.

The FAA also reported that the pilot did not have a current medical certificate.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER MX
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Allan Cournoyer
- Registered owner: Allan Cournoyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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