# NTSB CHI03LA211: Quicksilver MXL II, Marceline, MO, June 29, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 2003, 20:15 local (Jun 29, 2003, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Marceline, MO - Coordinates: 39.77, -93.012496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7700&lon=-93.0125&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Kansas City, MO FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57510 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57510/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA211 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to assure an adequate fuel supply which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in this make/model of aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The aircraft impacted the terrain following a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft owner contacted the pilot so that he could teach him to fly his recently purchased Quicksilver. The pilot stated he saw the aircraft owner add two gallons of fuel to the aircraft prior to takeoff. The pilot departed solo in the airplane from a private airstrip and flew to a nearby airport where he performed three full stop takeoffs and landings. The aircraft owner went to the airport and boarded the airplane with the pilot. According to the pilot, they departed and flew 5 to 10 minutes prior to experiencing a loss of engine power. The pilot reported he pumped the throttle and was able to "...get fuel, but only at intermittent intervals." The pilot reported the aircraft contacted the ground as he attempted to turn in order to avoid trees. The local sheriff reported the fuel tank was clear and he was unable to see any fuel in the tank. The sheriff also reported the passenger stated to him that he felt they ran out of fuel during the flight. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 2003, at 2015 central daylight time, an unregistered Quicksilver MXL II, collided with the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Marceline, Missouri. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot stated that his passenger had purchased the Quicksilver. He stated the owner contacted him so he could show the new owner how to operate the aircraft. The pilot stated that prior to the flight, he observed the owner add two gallons of fuel to the gas tank. He stated this brought the fuel level to three quarters of a tank. The pilot stated he departed the private airstrip alone and flew to a nearby airport where he made three full stop takeoffs and landings. The aircraft owner met him at the airport where he got on board the aircraft, sitting in the right seat. He stated they flew the aircraft for 5 to 10 minutes and they were getting ready to return to the airport when the engine lost power. The pilot reported, "I moved the throttle lever in a pumping motion and we did get fuel, but only at intermittent intervals." The pilot reported the aircraft contacted the ground as he attempted to turn in order to avoid trees. The local sheriff reported the fuel tank was clear and he was unable to see any fuel in the tank. The sheriff also reported the passenger stated to him that he felt they ran out of fuel during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Quicksilver MXL II - Category: Airplane - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John D. Ure, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Brookfield, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; last flight review August 12, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: IRK, 34 nm away 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.