# NTSB CEN25LA009: Quicksilver GT 400, N2490H, Garden Ridge, TX, October 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 8, 2024, 10:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Garden Ridge, TX - Coordinates: 29.63603, -98.298248 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6360&lon=-98.2982&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - 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): 195285 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195285/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195285 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA009 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power that resulted from improper fuel system maintenance and the subsequent fuel starvation due to the leaking fuel pump outlet fuel line. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Clapp Daniel W GT 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=05902ZD), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Clapp Daniel W GT 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05902ZD), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Clapp Daniel W GT 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05902ZD), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Clapp Daniel W GT 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902ZD), [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. - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Clapp Daniel W GT 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05902ZD), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Clapp Daniel W GT 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05902ZD), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Clapp Daniel W GT 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05902ZD), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had recently performed maintenance to the engine carburetor and fuel lines, then completed multiple full-power engine tests before the accident flight. The preflight and engine run-up before takeoff were normal and no anomalies were noted. During the takeoff roll, the engine achieved full rpm. About 100 ft above ground level, the engine exhibited a reduction in power to idle rpm. Due to a stationary train car parked on a railroad track in his forward flight path, the pilot executed a low altitude right turn. During the turn, the pilot was unable to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the outlet fuel pump line was found to have an improperly sized clamp, the line was cracked, and fuel was leaking from the fuel pump line to the carburetor. No other mechanical issues were noted with the airplane or engine. Based on the fuel system evidence, it was likely the partial loss of engine power resulted from fuel starvation due to the improper maintenance of the fuel system. ## Factual narrative On October 8, 2024, about 1055 central daylight time, a Quicksilver GT 400, N2490H, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Garden Ridge, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he had recently performed maintenance to the engine carburetor and fuel lines, then completed multiple full-power engine tests before the accident flight. The preflight and engine run-up before takeoff were normal and no anomalies were noted. During the takeoff roll, the engine achieved full rpm. About 100 ft above ground level, the engine exhibited a reduction in power to idle rpm. Due to a stationary train car parked on a railroad track in his forward flight path, the pilot executed a low altitude right turn. The pilot reported “the turn I made caused an unsurvivable loss of speed from which I could not roll the wings out and flare enough to soften the touchdown.” The airplane impacted terrain, came to rest upright, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces. One propeller blade was fractured near the hub. The propeller was manually rotated, and mechanical continuity was established in the engine. The outlet fuel pump fuel line was found to have an improperly sized clamp, the line was cracked, and fuel was leaking from the fuel line that ran between the fuel pump and the carburetor. No other mechanical issues were noted with the airplane or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2490H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2490H), registered now, S/N 082195G, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER GT 400 - Registry model: [Clapp Daniel W GT 400](https://openairdocs.org/model/clapp-daniel-w-gt-400) (registry code 05902ZD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 082195G - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 249 - Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Airport: TS67, Kitty Hawk Flying Field - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; airline transport, remote, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2024; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 22,000 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KRND, 6 nm away - METAR: KRND 081555Z AUTO 36003KT 10SM CLR 28/14 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP144 T02840139 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20241008022219I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241008022219I), Oct 8, 2024: Clapp Daniel W GT 400, Garden Ridge, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off and shortly afterwards engine started to run rough. Pilot attempted to return to the runway. Aircraft failed to make it. Airplane impacted… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 12, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195285. 7.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18075160&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18074748&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - FAA inspector (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18074997&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Inspector%20ROC-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 895 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18075074&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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. --- 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.