# NTSB NYC06CA111: Quicksilver GT-400, West Middlesex, PA, May 7, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 7, 2006, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: West Middlesex, PA
- Coordinates: 41.165279, -80.502502
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1653&lon=-80.5025&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63662/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA111

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during the initial climb.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command

## Analysis

The non-certificated pilot/owner took off in the unregistered "ultralight type" airplane from a grass airstrip.  During the initial climb, the airplane drifted right and impacted trees, then the ground.  When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated "better takeoff technique by staying closer to [the runway] centerline."

## Factual narrative

The non-certificated pilot/owner took off in the unregistered "ultralight type" airplane from a grass airstrip.  During the initial climb, the airplane drifted right and impacted trees, then the ground.  When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated "better takeoff technique by staying closer to [the runway] centerline."

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Quicksilver GT-400
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: UNKNOWN
- Engines: Rotax 447 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PA21, West Middlesex, PA
- Destination: PA21, West Middlesex, PA
- Airport: PA21, West Middlesex Airport, runway 36

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; medical: unknown; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

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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