# NTSB CEN17LA079: Quicksilver GT-400 R503, N415HC, New Braunfels, TX, January 1, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 2017, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: New Braunfels, TX
- Coordinates: 29.641387, -98.202774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6414&lon=-98.2028&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 14, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94616
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94616/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94616
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA079

## Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to a loose spark plug. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper preflight inspection of the airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT-400 R503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=0590393), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)
- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT-400 R503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=0590393), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT-400 R503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=0590393), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Quicksilver GT-400 R503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0590393), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT-400 R503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0590393), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT-400 R503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0590393), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The sport pilot reported that, about 15 minutes into the pleasure flight, the engine began "sputtering" and losing power. The pilot attempted to correct the problem by adjusting the throttle and applying the engine primer without success. The pilot then selected a field for a forced landing, during which the right main landing gear struck a power line. The airplane then flipped over and subsequently impacted a carport rooftop. Examination of the engine revealed that one of the four spark plugs was loose in the cylinder, which led to a loss of compression and partial loss of engine power. The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "closer inspection of checking spark plugs before flight."

## Factual narrative

On January 1, 2017, about 1130 central standard time, a Quicksilver GT-400 R503 experimental light sport airplane, N415HC, impacted power lines during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near New Braunfels, Texas. The sport pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed a private airstrip about 1110. According to the pilot/owner, about 15 minutes into the pleasure flight, the engine began "sputtering" and losing power. The pilot attempted to correct the problem by adjusting the throttle and applying engine primer. The attempts were unsuccessful in restoring engine power. The pilot then identified a field for a forced landing. During the forced landing, the right main landing gear struck a power line. After impacting the power line, the airplane flipped inverted, and dropped about 20 feet onto a carport rooftop. The pilot exited the airplane. Examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed both wings were bent and the wing fabric was damaged. No visual anomalies with the engine were noted. After the airplane was recovered from the carport, the pilot and a few friends examined the airplane and systems. The pilot noticed that one of the four engine spark plugs was loose in the cylinder. The pilot determined that the loose spark plug led to a loss of compression and partial loss of engine power during the accident flight. The pilot's safety recommendation, as noted in the pilot/operator accident report, stated "closer inspection of checking spark plugs before flight."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N415HC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N415HC), registered now, S/N 1504, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER GT-400 R503 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Quicksilver GT-400 R503](https://openairdocs.org/model/quicksilver-gt-400-r503) (registry code 0590393) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1504
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 192
- Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 23, 2016
- Departed: TS67, Schertz, TX
- Destination: TS67, Schertz, TX
- Equipment: Airframe parachute

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 7, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 176 total, 13 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: BAZ

## 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 20170101000739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170101000739A), Jan 1, 2017: Quicksilver GT-400 R503, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. Approximately 15 minutes after departing kitty hawk flying field (TS67) in schertz, TX, pilot experienced a loss of engine power. Pilot attempted to land his…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94616. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspectors Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspectors%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.

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