# NTSB ERA18TA193: Quicksilver MXL II, N594TC, Arecibo, PR, July 14, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report - Date: July 14, 2018, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Arecibo, PR - Coordinates: 18.455278, -66.663055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.4553&lon=-66.6631&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 97798 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18TA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97798/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97798 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA193 ## Probable cause The noncertificated pilot's improper fuel planning and management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver MXL II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=059003C), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver MXL II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=059003C), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver MXL II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=059003C), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver MXL II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=059003C), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Quicksilver MXL II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=059003C), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Quicksilver MXL II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=059003C), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Quicksilver MXL II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=059003C), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Quicksilver MXL II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=059003C), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Quicksilver MXL II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=059003C), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After the local flight, the noncertificated pilot approached the airport for landing. During the approach, he performed a go-around, and the airplane encountered strong winds, so he decided to turn 180° to land on the opposite runway. While turning, about 1/2 mile from the runway, the engine lost total power, so the pilot landed the airplane straight ahead into marshy terrain in a nose-low attitude. The empennage and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The 6-gallon fuel tank was found empty, and the fuel cap was found secured to the tank. The pilot reported that the airplane departed with 5 gallons of fuel onboard for the flight, which was about 1 hour 10 minutes long, and the estimated fuel consumption for the airplane was between about 5.3 and 6 gallons per hour. It is likely that, during the go-around and maneuver to return to the airport, the fuel supply was exhausted, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2018, about 1740 Atlantic standard time, an experimental light sport Quicksilver MXL II, N594TC, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing at Antonio (Nery) Juarbe Pol Airport (ABO), Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The non-certificated pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which departed at 1630.According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that he was returning to ABO after about a one-hour local flight and approached runway 8. During the approach, he performed a go-around and subsequently encountered strong wind, and decided to turn 180° to land on runway 26. While turning, about 1/2 mile from runway 26, the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot landed straight ahead into marshy terrain in a nose low attitude. The pilot reported that he took off with 5 gallons of fuel on board. According to a FAA inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the flight control surfaces to the cockpit. Engine cylinder compression and powertrain continuity were established by rotating the propeller by hand. The fuel selector was found in the off position. The fuel tank was found empty, the fuel cap remained secured, and there was no sign of fuel leakage. The fuel filter container was about 1/2 full of fuel. The ABO airport's daily aircraft activity logbook showed that the accident airplane departed at 1630 local, which resulted in a total flight time of 1 hour and 10 minutes. According to FAA airman records, the pilot was issued a third class medical and student pilot certificate in December 2011, which expired in December 2013. There was no record found that the pilot held an airman certificate. According to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 61, the pilot was required to hold at least a student pilot certificate, with appropriate solo endorsements, to operate the airplane. According to FAA airworthiness records, the two-seat, single-engine, high-wing airplane was manufactured in 1995. It was equipped with a Rotax 503 DI/SC engine. The airplane had a total fuel capacity of 6-gallons. The Rotax 503 engine data sheet stated that the fuel consumption was about 5.3 to 6 gallons per hour. The weather conditions reported at 1750 at Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN), Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, 27 miles from the accident site, included wind from 090° at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, broken clouds at 1,800 ft, temperature 28°C, and dew point 23°C. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N594TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N594TC), registered now, S/N 5690, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER MXL II - Registry model: [Quicksilver MXL II](https://openairdocs.org/model/quicksilver-mxl-ii) (registry code 05903RG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503DCSI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503dcsi) (registry code 55567, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5690 - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 320.1 - Engines: Rotax 503 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: ABO, Arecibo, PR - Destination: ABO, Arecibo, PR - Airport: ABO, Antonio/Nery/Juarbe Pol, runway 26, 3,963 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 74; injuries: serious; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: BQN, 27 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 20180714011199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180714011199A), Jul 14, 2018: Quicksilver Aircraft Corp MXL II, Arecibo, PR, Substantial damage. On July 14, 2018, about 1740AST, an experimental light sport Quicksilver Mxl II, N594TC, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an approach… ## Other investigations on N594TC (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC08CA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA300), Aug 30, 2008: Quicksilver MXL II (N594TC), Barceloneta, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident were the high winds. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 29, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97798. 1.8 MB in all. - Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 1, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468672&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - Airport Daily Record of Aircraft Activity (item 2, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468673&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Daily%20Record%20of%20Aircraft%20Activity-Master.PDF - Rotax 503 Data Sheet - Fuel Consumption (item 3, .PDF, 593 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Rotax%20503%20Data%20Sheet%20-%20Fuel%20Consumption-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 4, .PDF, 3 photos, 992 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.