Quicksilver MX II A-HP UNREG

Summary

On 20 July 1999 at about 19:00 local time, a Quicksilver MX II A-HP registered UNREG was involved in an accident near Coram, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 July 1999 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Coram, Montana, United States

Coordinates

48.4205, -113.9795

Aircraft

Quicksilver MX II A-HP

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA99LA135

1 person had minor injuries.

The non-rated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while taking off from a gravel pit. Factors include a downdraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he assembled his aircraft and took off from a gravel pit in order to do some sightseeing in the local area. Upon returning to the gravel pit, an individual who weighed about 100 pounds asked if he would take them for a ride. After this passenger boarded the aircraft, the pilot again took off from the gravel pit. But, according to the pilot, just after lifting off, a sudden wind came up, resulting in a downdraft to be generated in the area where he would be climbing over some trees. When he reached the trees, the aircraft's gear contacted the tree tops and it began to slow. As it slowed, the right wing hit a tree trunk, causing the aircraft to rotate to the right and fall to the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.