# NTSB ERA09CA505: Quicksilver Sport 2S, N781PJ, Geneva, FL, July 29, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2009, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Geneva, FL - Coordinates: 28.732778, -81.078613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7328&lon=-81.0786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74676 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA505 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74676/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74676 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA505 ## Probable cause Oil starvation due to air in the engine oil supply line, which resulted in engine seizure during initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=0590025), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect service/maintenance; cases with it: [Quicksilver SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=0590025), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Quicksilver SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=0590025), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Quicksilver SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=0590025), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Quicksilver SPORT 2S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0590025), [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: [Quicksilver SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0590025), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated he performed a routine pre-flight inspection and engine start, followed by a normal pre-takeoff checklist, including a magneto check. The takeoff and initial climb were uneventful; however, approximately 250 feet above ground level, the “engine quit abruptly; there was no sputtering.” The pilot maintained control and the airplane subsequently landed in high grass, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. He reported about 165 hours of total flight experience, which included about 93 hours in make and model. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a mechanic revealed an air bubble in the oil line and a scored piston, indicating that a lack of lubricating oil caused the piston to seize during operation. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot reported that he removed the oil filter, inspected it for contaminants, and reinstalled the same filter. According to the pilot, the engine was new in 2004 and had approximately 299 hours time in service. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he performed a routine pre-flight inspection and after engine start, followed a normal pre takeoff checklist including a magneto check. The takeoff and initial climb were uneventful; however, at approximately 250 feet above ground level, the “engine quit abruptly; there was no sputtering.” The pilot maintained control and the airplane subsequently landed in high grass, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. He reported about 165 hours of total flight experience, which included about 93 hours in make and model. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a mechanic revealed an air bubble in the oil line and a scored piston, indicating that a lack of lubricating oil caused the piston to seize during operation. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot reported that he removed the oil filter, inspected it for contaminants, and reinstalled the same filter. According to the pilot, the engine was new in 2004 and had approximately 299 hours time in service. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N781PJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N781PJ), registered now, S/N 0087, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER Sport 2S - Registry model: [Quicksilver SPORT 2S](https://openairdocs.org/model/quicksilver-sport-2s) (registry code 0590025) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582ULDCDI-99](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582uldcdi-99) (registry code 55560, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0087 - Airframe hours: 299 - Engines: Rotax 582 ULDCDI 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Petrus C. Leenen - Registered owner: Petrus C. Leenen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 8, 2009, 4 hours before - Departed: FD92, Geneva, FL - Destination: FD92, Geneva, FL - Airport: FD92, Southerland Strip Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 2, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 165 total, 93 in this make and model, 107 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: SFB, 9 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74676. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Correspondence (item 2, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Correspondence-Master.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.