# NTSB CEN14CA317: Quicksilver Enterprises MXL II Sport, N4474P, Watertown, SD, June 19, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2014, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Watertown, SD - Coordinates: 44.48611, -97.17028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4861&lon=-97.1703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 89530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89530/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89530 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA317 ## Probable cause The uncertificated pilot's loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver Enterprises MXL II SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05903JC), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver Enterprises MXL II SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05903JC), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Quicksilver Enterprises MXL II SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05903JC), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Quicksilver Enterprises MXL II SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05903JC), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis Witnesses stated the airplane made a steep turn at low altitude, followed by a rapid descent and ground impact. The uncertificated pilot was seriously injured and did not recall any of the accident sequence, due to head trauma. Examination of the airframe and engine by Federal Aviation Administration personnel revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative Witnesses stated the airplane made a steep turn at low altitude, followed by a rapid descent and ground impact. The uncertificated pilot was seriously injured and did not recall any of the accident sequence, due to head trauma. Examination of the airframe and engine by Federal Aviation Administration personnel revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4474P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4474P), registered now, S/N 304 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER ENTERPRISES INC MXL II SPORT (MXLII) - Registry model: [Quicksilver Enterprises MXL II SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/quicksilver-enterprises-mxl-ii-sport) (registry code 05903JC) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 304 - Engines: Rotax 503 DCDI 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Timothy G Kruse - Registered owner: Timothy G Kruse - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: PRI, Watertown, ND - Destination: Watertown, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: serious; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 10 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KATY, 25 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 20140619010609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140619010609A), Jun 19, 2014: Quicksilver Enterprises Inc MXL II SPORT, Watertown, SD, Substantial damage. On June 19, 2014 at approx. 18:36CDT a Quicksilver Mxl II Sport flown by [privacy data omitted] impacted the ground after witnesses stated the pilot made a… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 3, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89530. 616 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 616 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.