N439MM – QUICKSILVER SPORT 2S – 2010-04-09 NTSB Accident Report

On April 09, 2010, a Quicksilver SPORT 2S (N439MM) was involved in an incident near Canton, TX. 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 airplane builder’s improper installation of the left rear wing strut eyebolt.

While in a turn at low altitude, the pilot of the open cockpit experimental airplane heard a “loud pop,” followed by a change in the feel of the flight controls. The pilot elected to reduce the engine power to idle and activate the ballistic recovery system (BRS). Seconds later the airplane impacted into an area of trees and came to rest in the trees near the ground. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing rear strut threaded eyebolt had pulled free from the threaded barrel of the wing strut. The thread-to-barrel engagement was measured at 5/32 of an inch with approximately 16 threads exposed.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN10CA200. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N439MM.