Summary
On June 29, 1995, a Quicksilver MXLR II (UNREG) was involved in an accident near Borger, TX. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: 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.
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.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW95LA291. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft UNREG.
Accident Details
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
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