# NTSB WPR14CA017: Beller Quicksilver Mxlii, N75556, Orland, CA, October 14, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 14, 2013, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Orland, CA
- Coordinates: 39.721389, -122.146942
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7214&lon=-122.1469&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88195/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88195
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA017

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during taxi with a strong gusting wind condition which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beller Richard E QUICKSILVER MXLII, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=05904L3), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beller Richard E QUICKSILVER MXLII, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05904L3), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Beller Richard E QUICKSILVER MXLII, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05904L3), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Beller Richard E QUICKSILVER MXLII, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05904L3), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-from runway: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Beller Richard E QUICKSILVER MXLII, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05904L3), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while taxiing from landing, a strong gust of wind or thermal picked up the airplane which resulted in a nose over. Structural fuselage tubing and the right wing spar were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while taxiing from landing, a strong gust of wind or thermal picked up the airplane which resulted in a nose over. Structural fuselage tubing and the right wing spar were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75556](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75556), registered now, S/N 81340, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLER QUICKSILVER MXLII (MXLII)
- Registry model: [Beller Richard E QUICKSILVER MXLII](https://openairdocs.org/model/beller-richard-e-quicksilver-mxlii) (registry code 05904L3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 81340
- Year built: 1989
- Airframe hours: 370
- Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Freer Samuel M
- Registered owner: Freer Samuel M
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 19, 2013, 51 hours before
- Departed: Orland, CA
- Destination: O37, Orland, CA
- Airport: O37, Haigh Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 108 total, 108 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 335° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Turbulence: Moderate

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88195. 301 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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