# NTSB GAA17CA261: Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT2S R582, N228KM, Arecibo, PR, May 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2017, 07:20 local (11:20 UTC) - Place: Arecibo, PR - Coordinates: 18.450834, -66.675552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.4508&lon=-66.6756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95116 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95116/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95116 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA261 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid trees during low-altitude flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT2S R582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05901K2), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT2S R582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05901K2), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT2S R582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05901K2), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT2S R582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05901K2), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT2S R582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901K2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the weight-shift-controlled aircraft reported that he was performing a maintenance flight about 40 ft above ground level. He recalled that he remained in the pattern and that he was in a level flight profile when the left wing struck a tree. The aircraft fell to the ground and sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut and trailing edge tubes. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the weight-shift-controlled aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the weight-shift-controlled aircraft reported that he was performing a maintenance flight about 40 ft. above ground level. He recalled that he remained in the pattern and he was in a level flight profile when the left wing struck a tree. The aircraft fell to the ground and sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut and trailing edge tubes. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the weight-shift-controlled aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N228KM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N228KM), registered now, S/N 0142 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER MANUFACTURING INC SPORT2S R582 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Quicksilver Manufacturing SPORT2S R582](https://openairdocs.org/model/quicksilver-manufacturing-sport2s-r582) (registry code 05901K2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0142 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 361 - Engines: Rotax 582 UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 2, 2017 - Departed: ABO, Arecibo, PR - Destination: ABO, Arecibo, PR - Airport: ABO, Antonio (Nery) Juarbe Pol Airp, runway 08, 3,963 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 2, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,315 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,315 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: TJIG, 33 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 20170505004069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170505004069A), May 5, 2017: Quicksilver Manufacturing Inc SPORT2S R582, Arecibo, PR, Substantial damage. On 05/05/2017 around 0830 I(ASI jose f.zayas) received a call from Mr. Edgar sierra (Arecibo airport manager) reporting that an experimental aircraft had crash… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95116. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456617&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - No Photos (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20No%20Photos-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.