N5502DQUICKSILVER AIRCRAFT GT-5002010-05-11 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

QUICKSILVER AIRCRAFT GT-500S/N: GT5 TC0103

Summary

On May 11, 2010, a Quicksilver Aircraft GT-500 (N5502D) was involved in an accident near Big Lake, TX. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's loss of control when the airplane unexpectedly encountered a downdraft shortly after takeoff.

According to the pilot, during take-off when he got about 150-feet in the air, the airplane experienced a downdraft and the airplane started to descend. He added that there were no problems with the engine, and he had full power, but the airplane could not climb. The airplane then descended and impacted terrain; skidded along the ground before coming to rest in the inverted position. Additionally, he stated that the wind was from the south, at about 5 mph at the time of the accident. The pilot did not report any anomalies with the airplane, prior to the accident.

This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN10CA249. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5502D.

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA249
Location
Big Lake, TX
Event ID
20100513X51212
Coordinates
31.198888, -101.472503
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's loss of control when the airplane unexpectedly encountered a downdraft shortly after takeoff.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
QUICKSILVER AIRCRAFT
Serial Number
GT5 TC0103
Year Built
1995
Model / ICAO
GT-500

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
NEOS LTD
Address
22128 SERENADE RIDGE
Status
Deregistered
City
MURRIETA
State / Zip Code
CA 92562
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, during take-off when he got about 150-feet in the air, the airplane experienced a downdraft and the airplane started to descend. He added that there were no problems with the engine, and he had full power, but the airplane could not climb. The airplane then descended and impacted terrain; skidded along the ground before coming to rest in the inverted position. Additionally, he stated that the wind was from the south, at about 5 mph at the time of the accident. The pilot did not report any anomalies with the airplane, prior to the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA249