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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 2, 2000 · Quicksilver Sprint 2 · UNREG

Fresno, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 2, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fresno, CA
Aircraft
Quicksilver Sprint 2
Tail Number
UNREG
Operator
Patrick S Harrington
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX00LA153

The non-certificated pilot stated that he was flying about 1,200 feet mean sea level when the engine began to run roughly, then quit altogether. He was attempting to land in a field when he observed power lines in his path. During the pull-up maneuver to avoid the wires, the airplane stalled and crashed in the field. Disassembly of the Rotax 503 engine revealed that the No. 2 piston was scored and heat discolored, and had seized in the cylinder. The airplane gross weight, number of seats, and fuel capacity exceed the limitations in 14 CFR Part 103. Review of FAA aircraft and airman records disclosed no record that the airplane had ever been registered or issued an airworthiness certificate. No record was found that the pilot had ever been issued a pilot or medical certificate. A check of FAA records in the Fresno Flight Standards District Office found no evidence that the pilot/owner of the airplane had ever been issued a waiver in accordance with 14 CFR 103.5.

NTSB Probable Cause

The overheating and seizure of the number 2 piston for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush.

Full Narrative

On April 2, 2000, at 0818 hours Pacific daylight time, an unregistered and noncertificated Quicksilver Sprint 2 airplane collided with the ground while maneuvering for a forced landing near Fresno, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power during cruise. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot, who does not hold a pilot or medical certificate. The pilot was the sole occupant of the two-place airplane and was not injured. The pilot intended the operation to be under 14 CFR Part 103; however, the airplane exceeds 254 pounds, is a two-place vehicle not intended for training, and has a fuel capacity greater than 5 gallons. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight, which originated at the Fresno Chandler airport at 0800 as a nonstop flight to Reedly, California. The pilot stated to responding Fresno Police Department officers, and, subsequently to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, that he was flying about 1,200 feet msl when the engine began to run roughly, then quit altogether. He was attempting to land in a field when he observed power lines in his path. During the pull-up maneuver to avoid the wires, the airplane stalled and crashed in the field. Disassembly of the Rotax 503 engine revealed that the No. 2 piston was scored and heat discolored, and had seized in the cylinder. Review of FAA aircraft and airman records disclosed no record that the airplane had ever been registered or issued an airworthiness certificate. No record was found that the pilot had ever been issued a pilot or medical certificate. A check of FAA records in the Fresno Flight Standards District Office found no evidence that the pilot/owner of the airplane had ever been issued a waiver in accordance with 14 CFR 103.5.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:18 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftQuicksilver Sprint 2
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPatrick S Harrington
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 11 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data