# NTSB LAX82FUQ15: Quickie QAC-1, N82X, Mojave, CA, July 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1982, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Mojave, CA
- Coordinates: 35.069915, -118.180519 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0699&lon=-118.1805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUQ15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUQ15

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuselage - inadequate (cause)
  - fuselage - overload (cause)
  - fuselage - failure,partial (cause)
  - fuselage - separation (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate airframe, manufacturer (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BUILT AS A ONE-TIME ONLY ACFT FOR RECORD BREAKING DISTANCE FLYING, PRESUMABLY FOR AN AROUND-THE-WORLD FLIGHT WITHOUT REFUELING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT RADIOED THE CHASE PLANE THAT HE HAD SOME MINOR PROBLEM & WAS GOING TO LAND. AFTER TURNING FINAL THE PLT REPORTED "SOMETHING BROKE, I'M GOING IN..." THE ACFT CRASHED AT A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE 1/2 MI FROM THE END OF THE RWY. CONTINUITY OF FLIGHT CONTROL WAS ESTABLISHED & NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FLIGHT CONTROL WAS EVIDENT. THERE WERE NO DRAWINGS OR DATA AVAILABLE FOR THE DESIGN OF THE ACFT. THE FUSELAGE & EMPENNAGE REPORTEDLY HAD NOT BEEN STATIC TESTED. A BREAK AT THE REAR OF THE COCKPIT APPEARED TO BE IN AN AREA OF POOR DESIGN. THE COMPOSITE STRUCTURE BEHIND THE COCKPIT RAILS LOOKED QUESTIONABLE IN ITS CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA TO HANDLE THE BENDING LOADS IN THIS AREA. AN IN FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE FUSELAGE AT THE REAR OF THE COCKPUT BY AS MUCH AS 1 INCH WOULD HAVE PLACED THE STABILIZER IN A 3 DEG NOSE UP ANGLE RENDERING THE ELEVATOR INSUFFICIENT TO HOLD THE NOSE UP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82X-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: QUICKIE QAC-1
- Registry model: [Quickie A/C QAC1](https://openairdocs.org/model/quickie-a-c-qac1) (registry code 05645FK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0001
- Airframe hours: 45
- Engines: FRANKLIN P2L reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Quickie Aircraft Corp.
- Registered owner: Quickie Aircraft Corp.
- Departed: MOJAVE, CA
- Destination: MOJAVE, CA
- Airport: Mojave, runway 30, 9,610 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,598 total, 46 in this make and model, 1,468 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820702027359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820702027359A), Jul 2, 1982: Amtr QAC1, Mojave, CA, Destroyed. Pilot reported something broke on final. Airplane dived into ground. Possible fuselage structural failure.

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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