# NTSB ERA09CA044: Quicksilver II Mxlii, Knoxville, PA, November 7, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 7, 2008, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Knoxville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.958889, -77.426109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9589&lon=-77.4261&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA044

## Probable cause

The reason for this occurrence was undetermined.

## Findings

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

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The owner of the experimental Quicksilver MXL II purchased the airplane from a previous private owner. The present owner assembled the airplane independently. The pilot agreed to test fly the airplane for the owner, and the accident flight was the first flight since assembly. After a satisfactory preflight inspection, the pilot took off and climbed to about 60 or 70 feet. He then applied left rudder and left “stick” to initiate a left turn. When he attempted to roll out of the turn, the airplane did not respond, and the left bank continued to increase. The pilot applied right spoiler, and shifted his weight by leaning-over into the right seat. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose low, left bank, resulting in substantial damage. Winds were reported light and variable in the area at the time of the accident. Examination of the wreckage was inconclusive.

## Factual narrative

The owner of the experimental Quicksilver MXL II purchased the airplane from a previous private owner. The present owner assembled the airplane independently. The pilot agreed to test fly the airplane for the owner, and the accident flight was the first flight since assembly. After a satisfactory preflight inspection, the pilot took off and climbed to about 60 or 70 feet. He then applied left rudder and left “stick” to initiate a left turn. When he attempted to roll out of the turn, the airplane did not respond, and the left bank continued to increase. The pilot applied right spoiler, and shifted his weight by leaning-over into the right seat. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose low, left bank, resulting in substantial damage. Winds were reported light and variable in the area at the time of the accident. Examination of the wreckage was inconclusive.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Quicksilver II MXLII (Sport)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1051
- Engines: Rotax 503 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Departed: 6PS3, Champ Field Air, PA
- Destination: 6PS3, Champ Field Air, PA
- Airport: 6PS3, Champ Field Airport, runway 27, 1,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 14, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 1 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: ELM, 26 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.

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