# NTSB MIA94LA170: Fullana Quicksilver GT-500, N4287L, Palmas Del Mar, PR, July 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1994, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmas Del Mar, PR
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA170

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ABRUPT LOWERING OF THE FLAPS WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT FOR RECOVERY, AND THE PILOT'S UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED MANEUVERING ALONG THE SHORELINE AT ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE WATER. THE SURVIVING PASSENGER STATED THE PILOT WAS LOWERING THE FLAPS TO SLOW THE AIRPLANE TO POINT OUT AN APARTMENT. AS THE PILOT QUICKLY LOWERED THE FLAPS THE AIRPLANE PITCHED DOWN, HIT THE WATER, AND SANK.

## Factual narrative

On July 1, 1994, about 1800, Atlantic standard time, N4287L, a homebuilt, Quicksilver GT-500, registered to the pilot Eduardo Castellanos, crashed in the water adjacent to Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The recreational certificated pilot received fatal injuries, the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight had originated from a local airport about 15 minutes earlier.

Witnesses and the passenger stated that the pilot was flying about 20 feet above the water along the beach and was attempting to point out an apartment to the passenger. The pilot stated he would slow the airplane down and he added flaps. The passenger observed the nose pitch down and the airplane collided with the water and sank. The passenger stated he released his shoulder harness and seatbelt and swam to the surface for air. He attempted to dive to release the pilot twice but could not do so. The passenger was then assisted to the shore by surfers in the area.

Examination of the airplane, engine, and controls by the FAA inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4287L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4287L-2017-03-06), registration cancelled 2017-03-06, S/N 0109, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FULLANA QUICKSILVER GT-500 (QUICKSILVE)
- Registry model: [Fullana Jose M GT-500](https://openairdocs.org/model/fullana-jose-m-gt-500) (registry code 05676RC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 942
- Engines: ROTAX R-582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Castellanos, Eduardo
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 14, 1994

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 208 total, 15 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 11 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TJS, 41 nm away

## 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 19940701017429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940701017429A), Jul 1, 1994: Qckslv GT500, Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flying low over water to view a beac front home. Put on full flaps to slow. Dove into water.

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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