UNREG

Substantial
Serious

QUICKSILVER MXLR II

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, June 29, 1995
NTSB Number
FTW95LA291
Location
BORGER, TX
Event ID
20001207X03727
Coordinates
35.649112, -101.399322
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING AND TAKEOFF AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. THE SOFT, UNEVEN TERRAIN AND TALL GRASS WERE FACTORS.

Aircraft Information

Registration
UNREG
Make
QUICKSILVER
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
MXLR II BPAT
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Analysis

On June 28, 1995, at 2000 central daylight time, an unregistered experimental airplane, a Quicksilver MXLR II, sustained substantial damage during takeoff at the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area near Borger, Texas. The non-certificated pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was being operated by the owner, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local area flight and a flight plan was not filed.

During an interview, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that, he landed near a river for a picnic. During the takeoff roll from the soft field with tall grass, the aircraft was "unable to become airborne." The only passenger exited the aircraft. During a second attempted takeoff, the aircraft struck a mound of dirt and "became airborne and nosed down impacting the ground." The fuselage was separated in several places.

The witness (enclosed statement) reported that the area was "unlevel, soggy ground." The witness further stated that the pilot "got the plane up to about 150 feet, then the plane took a nose dive."

Numerous attempts were made by the investigator-in-charge to obtain the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). To date, the report has not been received.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA291