# NTSB CEN18LA137: Quicksilver GT 400, N2433Z, Maxwell, IA, April 5, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 5, 2018, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Maxwell, IA
- Coordinates: 41.8402, -92.6146 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8402&lon=-92.6146&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96990/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96990
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA137

## Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot's unfamiliarity with the airplane, which resulted in a loss of airplane control when the pilot encounter a wind gust.

## 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 GT-400, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901P8), [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 GT-400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05901P8), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT-400, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05901P8), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Quicksilver GT-400, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901P8), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The noncertificated pilot reported that he had just purchased the ultralight airplane. He added that he had not received a weather briefing before the flight. The previous owner reported that, earlier on the day of the accident, he flew a demonstration flight for the pilot in the airplane with “no issues.” He advised the pilot to use 10° of flaps for takeoff for improved performance; however, the previous owner saw the airplane take off without the flaps extended. Shortly after takeoff, he saw a wind gust push the airplane into a tree. The pilot reported he had no recollection of the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed that both wings and the fuselage had sustained substantial damage. Flight control continuity was established, and propeller damage was found that was consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot was unfamiliar with airplane make and model and reported having flown only 3.5 hours in the previous 20 years in a Cessna or Beechcraft airplane. When asked by the previous owner if the he was a pilot, the noncertificated pilot said, “yes”. Therefore, given the available evidence, it is likely that the noncertificated pilot, failed to maintain control of the ultralight airplane when he encountered the wind gust.

## Factual narrative

On April 5, 2018, about 1600 central daylight time, a Quicksilver GT400 ultralight airplane, N2433Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Maxwell Airport (3NC7), Maxwell, Iowa. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had just purchased the ultralight airplane and that he had not received a preflight weather briefing. The airplane’s previous owner reported that, earlier on the day of the accident, he completed a demonstration flight for the pilot in the airplane with “no issues.” He advised the pilot to use 10° of flaps for takeoff for improved performance; however, the previous owner saw the airplane take off without the flaps extended. After takeoff, he saw a wind gust push the airplane into a tree. The pilot reported he had no recollection of the accident. The pilot reported having flown only 3.5 hours in the previous 20 years in a Cessna or Beechcraft airplane and that did not hold a pilot certificate. The pilot indicated he thought the airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 103; therefore, he believed that he did not require a pilot certificate. When asked by the previous owner if the he was a pilot, the noncertificated pilot said, “yes”. Examination of the airplane revealed that both wings and the fuselage had sustained substantial damage. Flight control continuity was established, and propeller damage was found that was consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2433Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2433Z-2021-02-01), registration cancelled 2021-02-01, S/N GT2801487, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER GT 400 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Quicksilver GT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/quicksilver-gt-400) (registry code 05901P8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: GT2801487
- Year built: 2003
- Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Destination: KSKI, Sac City, IA
- Airport: N/A, Private Strip
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: serious; seat: single; restraint: 5-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: KIKV, 12 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 20180405003349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180405003349A), Apr 5, 2018: Quicksilver GT-400, Maxwell, IA, Substantial damage. The aircraft involved was substantially damaged on take-off when the right wing struck a tree 110 feet east and 350 feet north of the departure end of the…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96990. 6.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11585553&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN18LA137%206120%20completed%20w%20blocks%20filled-Rel.pdf
- Photograph of accident site (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11585750&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN18LA137%20Photos%20for%20Docket-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statement (tony will) (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11585058&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Insp%20Will%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statement (john walberg) (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11584704&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=JGW%20Inspector%20STATEMENT%20N2433Z_Redacted-Rel.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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