# NTSB LAX87LA004: Gillon Quickie Q2, N22SD, Goleta, CA, October 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1986, 10:39 local (17:39 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Coordinates: 34.499374, -120.119697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4994&lon=-120.1197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT, THE SPARK PLUG INSERTS IN THE ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE CHANGED TO STEEL ONES. THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE FLIGHT HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE EMANATE FROM THE ENGINE FOLLOWED BY A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN AN ALTITUDE OF 1,000 FT AGL AND RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT. ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT DID NOT GET A LANDING CLEARANCE 'DUE TO OTHER VOICE TRAFFIC' ON THE RADIO AND INITIATED A GO AROUND. THE PILOT FURTHER SAID THAT HE COULD ONLY MAINTAIN 300 FT AGL ON THE SECOND PATTERN. A WITNESS SAID THE AIRCRAFT MADE A NORMAL APPROACH THEN 'BOUNCED UP AT A HIGH ANGLE ON TOUCHDOWN, THEN DROP ON THE NOSEWHEEL.' THE PILOT REPORTED THAT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED 'A SLIVER OF STEEL FROM THE SPARK PLUG INSERT HAD LODGED IN THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING A BLOW TORCH EFFECT WHICH BURNED THROUGH THE CYLINDER HEAD AND FIN.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22SD-1991-04-02), registration cancelled 1991-04-02, S/N 2545 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GILLON QUICKIE Q2
- Registry model: [Gillon David S QUICKIE Q-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/gillon-david-s-quickie-q-2) (registry code 05645XK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2245
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: REVMASTER R2100-D 67 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David S. Gillon
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1986, 6 hours before
- Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara, runway 15L, 4,179 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 1 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA

## 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 19861004047619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861004047619A), Oct 4, 1986: Amtrqk QUICKIE2, Goleta, CA, Substantial damage. The engine lost power and the pilot landed the aircraft hard. An incorrectly installed insert burned through piston

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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