# NTSB ERA16CA314: Quicksilver Manufacturing Sport 2S, N396DF, Cleveland, GA, September 9, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 9, 2016, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, GA
- Coordinates: 34.580554, -83.68222
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5806&lon=-83.6822&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94006/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94006
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA314

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05903L4), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05903L4), [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05903L4), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05903L4), [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.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05903L4), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT 2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903L4), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that he was demonstrating turns for the passenger while flying at a low altitude when he lost control of the airplane and "stalled." The airplane collided with trees and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he was demonstrating turns for the passenger while flying at a low altitude, when he lost control of the airplane and "stalled." The airplane collided with trees and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings and the empennage. The pilot further reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N396DF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N396DF), registered now, S/N 0104, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER MANUFACTURING INC SPORT 2S (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT 2S](https://openairdocs.org/model/quicksilver-manufacturing-sport-2s) (registry code 05903L4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0104
- Year built: 2004
- Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Cleveland, GA
- Destination: Cleveland, GA
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: TOC, 17 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20160909015109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160909015109A), Sep 9, 2016: Quicksilver Manufacturing Inc SPORT 2S, Cleveland, GA, Substantial damage. The FSDO was contacted by the roc on Saturday September 10, 2016, for an aircraft incident. The incident was for aircraft N396DF, located at a residence at…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94006. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- White County Sheriff's Report (item 2, .PDF, 727 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453004&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=White%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Report-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453005&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 4 photos, 499 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453006&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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