# NTSB LAX04CA306: Quicksilver MXL II, N4358Z, Rio Vista, CA, August 29, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 28, 2004, 17:30 local (Aug 29, 2004, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Rio Vista, CA
- Coordinates: 38.236389, -121.681663
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2364&lon=-121.6817&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA306

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from high vegetation while flying at a low altitude.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The light experimental airplane was flying northbound a few feet above an unused levee dirt road and the right wingtip struck a stand of high bamboo growing along the east side of the road.  The airplane then hit the road, skidded off the road, and into some large rocks along the levee.  Both occupants were uninjured, and able to extract themselves out of the wreckage.

## Factual narrative

On August 28, 2004, about 1730 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Quicksilver MXL II, N4358Z, collided with high vegetation and impacted terrain while flying at low altitude, 3 miles north of Rio Vista, California.  The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.  The local area personal flight originated at the Rio Vista airport about 1710.

The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was flying northbound a few feet above an unused levee dirt road.  The right wingtip struck a stand of high bamboo growing along the east side of the road.  The airplane then hit the road, skidded off the road, and into some large rocks along the levee.  Both occupants were able to extract themselves out of the wreckage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4358Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4358Z-2018-03-23), registration cancelled 2018-03-23, S/N 243, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Quicksilver MXL II
- Registry model: [Carey Joel E QUICKSILVER MXL SPRT](https://openairdocs.org/model/carey-joel-e-quicksilver-mxl-sprt) (registry code 056760H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 243
- Engines: Rotax 582 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joel E Carey
- Registered owner: Joel E Carey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: KO88, Rio Vista, CA
- Destination: KO88, Rio Vista, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20040828035239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040828035239A), Aug 28, 2004: Amtr QUICKSLVERII, Rio Vista, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During low cruise airraft wing struck tall bamboo bushes causing acft to lose control and strike road. (Reconstructed report) FSDO didn't investigate.

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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