# NTSB LAX00LA153: Quicksilver Sprint 2, Fresno, CA, April 2, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 2000, 08:18 local (15:18 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.750671, -119.790016 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7507&lon=-119.7900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48936 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48936/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA153 ## Probable cause The overheating and seizure of the number 2 piston for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - engine assembly,piston - overtemperature (cause) - engine assembly,piston - seized (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - object - wire,transmission - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot stated that he was flying about 1,200 feet mean sea level when the engine began to run roughly, then quit altogether. He was attempting to land in a field when he observed power lines in his path. During the pull-up maneuver to avoid the wires, the airplane stalled and crashed in the field. Disassembly of the Rotax 503 engine revealed that the No. 2 piston was scored and heat discolored, and had seized in the cylinder. The airplane gross weight, number of seats, and fuel capacity exceed the limitations in 14 CFR Part 103. Review of FAA aircraft and airman records disclosed no record that the airplane had ever been registered or issued an airworthiness certificate. No record was found that the pilot had ever been issued a pilot or medical certificate. A check of FAA records in the Fresno Flight Standards District Office found no evidence that the pilot/owner of the airplane had ever been issued a waiver in accordance with 14 CFR 103.5. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 2000, at 0818 hours Pacific daylight time, an unregistered and noncertificated Quicksilver Sprint 2 airplane collided with the ground while maneuvering for a forced landing near Fresno, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power during cruise. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot, who does not hold a pilot or medical certificate. The pilot was the sole occupant of the two-place airplane and was not injured. The pilot intended the operation to be under 14 CFR Part 103; however, the airplane exceeds 254 pounds, is a two-place vehicle not intended for training, and has a fuel capacity greater than 5 gallons. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight, which originated at the Fresno Chandler airport at 0800 as a nonstop flight to Reedly, California. The pilot stated to responding Fresno Police Department officers, and, subsequently to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, that he was flying about 1,200 feet msl when the engine began to run roughly, then quit altogether. He was attempting to land in a field when he observed power lines in his path. During the pull-up maneuver to avoid the wires, the airplane stalled and crashed in the field. Disassembly of the Rotax 503 engine revealed that the No. 2 piston was scored and heat discolored, and had seized in the cylinder. Review of FAA aircraft and airman records disclosed no record that the airplane had ever been registered or issued an airworthiness certificate. No record was found that the pilot had ever been issued a pilot or medical certificate. A check of FAA records in the Fresno Flight Standards District Office found no evidence that the pilot/owner of the airplane had ever been issued a waiver in accordance with 14 CFR 103.5. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Quicksilver SPRINT 2 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602 - Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Patrick S. Harrington - Registered owner: Aircraft Not Registered - Departed: FCH - Destination: 032, REEDLEY, CA - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 80 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 181 °F, dew point 106 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAT 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.