# NTSB CEN10CA249: Quicksilver GT-500, N5502D, Big Lake, TX, May 11, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2010, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Big Lake, TX - Coordinates: 31.198888, -101.472503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1989&lon=-101.4725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75997/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75997 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA249 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control when the airplane unexpectedly encountered a downdraft shortly after takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT 500, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0590068), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Quicksilver GT 500, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=0590068), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT 500, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0590068), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT 500, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0590068), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT 500, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0590068), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff and at about 150 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a downdraft and the airplane started to descend. He added that there were no problems with the engine and he had full power, but that the airplane could not climb. The airplane then descended and impacted terrain and skidded along the ground before coming to rest in an inverted position. Additionally, he stated that the wind was from the south, at about 5 mph at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no preaccident anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during take-off when he got about 150-feet in the air, the airplane experienced a downdraft and the airplane started to descend. He added that there were no problems with the engine, and he had full power, but the airplane could not climb. The airplane then descended and impacted terrain; skidded along the ground before coming to rest in the inverted position. Additionally, he stated that the wind was from the south, at about 5 mph at the time of the accident. The pilot did not report any anomalies with the airplane, prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5502D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5502D-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N GT5 TC0103, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER AIRCRAFT GT-500 - Registry model: [Quicksilver GT-500](https://openairdocs.org/model/quicksilver-gt-500) (registry code 7350000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: GT5 TC0103 - Engines: Rotax 582UL reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Neos Ltd - Registered owner: Neos Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: E41, Big Lake, TX - Destination: New Orleans, LA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: E41, Reagan County Airport, runway 16, 4,032 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 7,600 total, 3,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KOZA, 31 nm away ## 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 20100511033519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100511033519A), May 11, 2010: Quicksilver GT-500, Big Lake, TX, Destroyed. On may 11, 2010, at approximately 0750 CDT, the pilot and only occupant of N5502D, a Quicksilver GT-500 primary category aircraft, executed a take off from… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75997. 379 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333415&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo: N5502D accident site (item 3, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331743&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20N5502D%20accident%20site-Master.PDF 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.