Summary
On October 05, 2002, a Quicksilver Challenger II (UNREG) was involved in an incident near Porterville, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
On October 5, 2002, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, an unregistered homebuilt Quicksilver Challenger II airplane made a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from Porterville, California. The airplane was owned and operated by the noncertificated pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.
During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he had climbed the airplane to 300 feet and entered a right bank when the loss of power occurred. He made a forced landing in a vacant field next to the airport. The left main landing gear separated after coming into contact with a tree.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX03LA009. 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On October 5, 2002, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, an unregistered homebuilt Quicksilver Challenger II airplane made a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from Porterville, California. The airplane was owned and operated by the noncertificated pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.
During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he had climbed the airplane to 300 feet and entered a right bank when the loss of power occurred. He made a forced landing in a vacant field next to the airport. The left main landing gear separated after coming into contact with a tree. He turned the engine off as he exited the airplane.
The pilot was not aware that the airplane did not comply with the requirements of 14 CFR Part 103, which specifies the requirements an aircraft must meet to operate as an ultralight vehicle rather than an airplane. The pilot had approximately 50 hours flight time in airplanes.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX03LA009