# NTSB SEA99LA135: Quicksilver MX II A-HP, Coram, MT, July 20, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1999, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Coram, MT
- Coordinates: 48.420532, -113.979499 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4205&lon=-113.9795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA135

## Probable cause

The non-rated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while taking off from a gravel pit.  Factors include a downdraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - clearance - not maintained, unqualified person (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he assembled his aircraft and took off from a gravel pit in order to do some sightseeing in the local area. Upon returning to the gravel pit, an individual who weighed about 100 pounds asked if he would take them for a ride. After this passenger boarded the aircraft, the pilot again took off from the gravel pit. But, according to the pilot, just after lifting off, a sudden wind came up, resulting in a downdraft to be generated in the area where he would be climbing over some trees. When he reached the trees, the aircraft's gear contacted the tree tops and it began to slow. As it slowed, the right wing hit a tree trunk, causing the aircraft to rotate to the right and fall to the ground.

## Factual narrative

On July 20, 1999, approximately 1300 mountain daylight time, an unregistered Quicksilver MX II A-HP impacted trees during takeoff from a gravel pit near Coram, Montana. The non-rated pilot received minor injuries, his passenger was uninjured, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, he brought the MX-II to Coram by automobile in order to do some aerial sightseeing in the local area. After arriving there, he looked for a place from which he could takeoff. After selecting the gravel pit, he assembled the aircraft, took off, and flew around the valley with only himself onboard. After landing, an individual who weighed about 100 pounds asked if they could have a ride. That person boarded the aircraft, and the pilot attempted a second takeoff from the same location. Although the takeoff roll was longer, the aircraft lifted off at a point where the pilot felt he would safely be able to clear the trees near the end of the pit. But, according to the pilot, just after lifting off a sudden wind came up, resulting in a downdraft in the area where he would be climbing over the trees. When he reached the trees, the aircraft's landing gear contacted the tree tops and it began to slow. As it slowed, the right wing hit a tree trunk, causing the aircraft to rotate to the right and fall to the ground.

Although the pilot had taken flight instruction in ultralight vehicles, he did not possess the Ultralight Instructor Certificate that would have allowed him to give instruction in a two-place ultralight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Quicksilver Aircraft MX II A-HP
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Danny H. Olsen
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 1, 1999

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; seat: left; flight hours: 217 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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