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July 20, 1999 · Quicksilver Aircraft MX II A-HP · UNREG

Coram, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Coram, MT
Aircraft
Quicksilver Aircraft MX II A-HP
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA135

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On July 20, 1999, approximately 1300 mountain daylight time, an unregistered Quicksilver MX II A-HP impacted trees during takeoff from a gravel pit near Coram, Montana. The non-rated pilot received minor injuries, his passenger was uninjured, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, he brought the MX-II to Coram by automobile in order to do some aerial sightseeing in the local area. After arriving there, he looked for a place from which he could takeoff. After selecting the gravel pit, he assembled the aircraft, took off, and flew around the valley with only himself onboard. After landing, an individual who weighed about 100 pounds asked if they could have a ride. That person boarded the aircraft, and the pilot attempted a second takeoff from the same location. Although the takeoff roll was longer, the aircraft lifted off at a point where the pilot felt he would safely be able to clear the trees near the end of the pit. But, according to the pilot, just after lifting off a sudden wind came up, resulting in a downdraft in the area where he would be climbing over the trees. When he reached the trees, the aircraft's landing 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. Although the pilot had taken flight instruction in ultralight vehicles, he did not possess the Ultralight Instructor Certificate that would have allowed him to give instruction in a two-place ultralight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftQuicksilver Aircraft MX II A-HP
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 52

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data