Summary
On June 25, 2015, a Quicksilver MXL II SPORT (UNREG) was involved in an accident near Ute, IA. 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 failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to prevent an inadvertent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain.
The pilot reported that the accident flight was his first flight in an experimental amateur built airplane, and he planned to complete one circuit in the traffic pattern. He said he remembered that during the final approach to land, he saw power lines which crossed the approach path, and a building, which he wanted to stay above. He also encountered a crosswind. He did not remember anything further.
A witness who observed the flight from the ground, reported that as the airplane approached the runway, he saw the airplane climb to clear the wires, but then the airplane descended and "fell out of the air," impacting the ground almost vertically.
The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA138. 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 failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to prevent an inadvertent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
The pilot reported that the accident flight was his first flight in an experimental amateur built airplane, and he planned to complete one circuit in the traffic pattern. He said he remembered that during the final approach to land, he saw power lines which crossed the approach path, and a building, which he wanted to stay above. He also encountered a crosswind. He did not remember anything further.
A witness who observed the flight from the ground, reported that as the airplane approached the runway, he saw the airplane climb to clear the wires, but then the airplane descended and "fell out of the air," impacting the ground almost vertically.
The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. During a post-flight examination, substantial damage was found along the fuselage.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA138