# NTSB LAX03LA009: Quicksilver Challenger II, Porterville, CA, October 5, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 2002, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Porterville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.029724, -119.062774
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0297&lon=-119.0628&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA009

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.  A factor in the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The unregistered airplane experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff.  The noncertificated pilot executed a forced landing in a field, which resulted in the left main landing gear separating when it contacted a tree.  The pilot was not aware that the airplane did not comply with the requirements of 14 CFR Part 103, which specifies the requirements an aircraft must meet to operate as an ultralight vehicle rather than an airplane.

## Factual narrative

On October 5, 2002, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, an unregistered homebuilt Quicksilver Challenger II airplane made a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from Porterville, California.  The airplane was owned and operated by the noncertificated pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he had climbed the airplane to 300 feet and entered a right bank when the loss of power occurred.  He made a forced landing in a vacant field next to the airport.  The left main landing gear separated after coming into contact with a tree.  He turned the engine off as he exited the airplane.

The pilot was not aware that the airplane did not comply with the requirements of 14 CFR Part 103, which specifies the requirements an aircraft must meet to operate as an ultralight vehicle rather than an airplane.  The pilot had approximately 50 hours flight time in airplanes.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Quicksilver Challenger II
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 11BZ4
- Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne Ross
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PTV, Porterville, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; seat: front; flight hours: 50 total, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 42 nm away

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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