# NTSB CEN11LA332: Unregistered Quicksilver MXL II, Crookston, MN, May 8, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 2011, 20:45 local (May 8, 2011, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Crookston, MN - Coordinates: 47.579166, -96.644996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5792&lon=-96.6450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79085 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA332 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79085/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79085 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA332 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper airspeed while maneuvering to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, after completing a low pass over his private airstrip, he decided to land. He reduced engine power to idle and entered a right turn toward the airstrip. The pilot stated that, while in the turn, he did not reduce pitch to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at low altitude. The airplane collided with terrain in a nose down and right wing low attitude. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 2011, at 2045 central daylight time, an unregistered Quicksilver model MXL II light sport airplane, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain, near Crookston, Minnesota. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated by the commercial pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The personal flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip near Crookston, Minnesota, at an unconfirmed time. The pilot stated that after completing a low pass over his private airstrip he decided to land. He reduced engine power to idle and entered a right turn back toward the airstrip. The pilot stated that while in the turn he did not reduce pitch to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at low altitude. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain in a nose down and right wing low attitude. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Unregistered Quicksilver MXL II - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NONE - Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Todd Alan Tollefson - Registered owner: Todd Alan Tollefson - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Departed: PVT, Crookston, MN - Destination: PVT, Crookston, MN - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 937 total, 15 in this make and model, 863 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KCKN, 16 nm away ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79085. 491 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation, Todd Tollefson (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation,%20Todd%20Tollefson-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement, Michael Leech (item 3, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement,%20Michael%20Leech-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.