# NTSB CEN21LA145: Quicksilver Mxii, Hattiesburg, MS, February 25, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 25, 2021, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Hattiesburg, MS · Open, flat grass field. - Coordinates: 31.107809, -89.274323 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1078&lon=-89.2743&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Safety Investigation Authority, Rotax Aircraft Engines, FAA Jackson FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102713 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102713/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA145 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the trees during the subsequent forced landing resulting in an impact with trees and terrain. ## 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 · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Placards and markings](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011100): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not installed/available (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011100/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot reported that while on final approach to land in his unregistered two-seat light sport airplane, when he retarded the throttle, the airplane’s engine experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot attempted to force land the airplane in a grass field, but the right wing struck a tree branch and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain coming to rest on its nose. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane. The fuel tank and rudder were not present with the wreckage and there were no airplane identification markings. Flight control continuity was established but an engine examination was not conducted. The inspector requested the pilot produce the operating handbook, operating limitations, and maintenance records for the aircraft, which he could not. The National Transportation Safety Board attempted to have the engine examined further but the pilot would not allow it. The pilot reported there was adequate automotive fuel onboard when the engine failed. He examined the fuel lines, the fuel filter, and the carburetor, and found no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not feel carburetor ice was involved, but that the engine failure was a fuel issue. However, the pilot could not produce any evidence to confirm that. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER MXII - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: Unknown - Engines: Rotax Aircraft Engines 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: Condition, September 1, 2020 - Departed: PVT, Hattiesburg, MS - Airport: N/A, Pvt, runway Unknown, 1,200 × 48 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: serious; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 25, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 13,500 total, 550 in this make and model, 9,500 as pilot in command, 39.1 in the last 90 days, 20.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KHBG, 11 nm away - METAR: KHBG 252153Z AUTO 02004KT 10SM FEW037 BKN070 23/15 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP199 T02330150 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.