Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 23, 2000 · Quicksilver MXL II Sport MXL II SPO · UNREG

Clyo, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Clyo, GA
Aircraft
Quicksilver MXL II Sport MXL II SPO
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA00LA228

According to the owner/home-builder of the aircraft, he had just test flown the newly finished, personally modified Quicksilver MXL II Sport, twice for a total time of about 15 minutes. He allowed the accident pilot to fly it next, and after about three or four circles over the airstrip, the aircraft flew out of sight over a forest. When the engine sound abruptly stopped, the owner/builder went searching and found the wreckage. According to FAA inspectors, the aircraft did not meet the requirements for FAR Part 103 relating to ultralight vehicles. The owner/builder, the accident pilot, and the aircraft were not FAA certified or registered. The owner/builder, the accident pilot, and the aircraft were not USUA or EAA registered, and the aircraft had not been granted a USUA or EAA waiver for ultralight training. Examination of the wreckage site revealed evidence that the engine, airframe, and flight controls were functional until tree and terrain collision. FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory testing of specimens from the pilot revealed use of numerous prescription drugs, as well as recent use of marihuana.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft due to impairment by use of drugs, and the resultant uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with the terrain.

Full Narrative

On July 23, 2000, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a home built, unregistered aircraft, a two-place Quicksilver MXL Sport II, crashed while maneuvering in the vicinity of Clyo, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the unlicensed occupant piloting the aircraft received fatal injuries. The flight originated from a private airstrip about 4 minutes before the accident. According to the owner/builder, he test-flew the newly constructed aircraft twice just before the accident flight for a total of 15 minutes. The accident pilot then took off and circled the airstrip three or four times before he flew over a wooded area and out of sight. When the noise of the engine abruptly stopped, the owner started searching and found the wreckage in a forested area. The owner/builder was advised by an FAA licensed mechanic/aircraft inspector on July 15, 2000, that the aircraft was "not safe for operation", and listed the following reasons; (1) the aircraft was modified by the installation of a 100 hp engine vs the designed 50 to 64 hp range, (2) The engine installation was of poor design and construction, (3) The propeller-to-spar clearance was 1 to 1.5 inches and made no allowances for propeller flexing, (4) the larger engine would contribute to a further aft center of gravity, possibly beyond aft CG limit, (5) fuel tank installation unsafe, (6) electrical wiring and connections unsafe, (6) battery mounting unsafe, (7) engine muffler mounting unsafe, (8) steel plate ballast mounting unsafe. A copy of the mechanic's statement is an attachment to this report. According to FAA inspectors, the aircraft was not registered or certified and did not meet the requirements of FAR Part 103 relating to ultralight aircraft. Neither the pilot nor the owner/operator held an FAA pilot's license. The owner/operator did not hold a waiver from the United States Ultralight Association or the Experimental Aircraft Association for ultralight flight instruction for the aircraft, nor was the pilot or owner/operator a registered ultralight pilot or instructor. Examination of the wreckage site revealed the aircraft came through the trees at a fairly steep angle, striking one branch about 60 feet high. The aircraft appeared to have rolled inverted somewhere between the first tree strike and terrain collision, and came to rest inverted. The right seat had been loaded with sand bags for ballast. Examination of flight controls revealed continuity and proper operation in all three axes. One blade of the carbon fiber, three bladed propeller was splintered about 1 to 2 inches from the tip, one blade was splintered at its half span, and the other blade, about 3 to 4 inches from the hub. The right wing trailing edge tube was severed and showed propeller paint transfer. The engine mount plate was secure to the main tube, and the two front engine mounts were secure; however, the engine had pulled loose from the two rear engine mounts due to stress failure of the rear engine mount washers. The rear mount bolts were still screwed tight, but the large rubber-sandwiched washers were cone shaped with wallowed out holes, suggesting stress failure due to terrain collision. The owner/builder stated that the pilot had remained lap belted into the left seat. Postmortem examination of the victim was performed on July 25, 2000, by Dr. Geoffrey P. Smith, M.D., Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Division of Forensic Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia. Cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological tests were conducted at the Federal Aviation Administration Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Results of the tests include the following: (1) .008(ug/ml,ug/g) Tetrahydrocannabinol (marihuana) detected in blood (2) .012(ug/ml,ug/g) Tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid detected in blood (3) .147(ug/ml,ug/g) Tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid detected in urine (4) Meperidine present in blood (5) .014(ug/ml,ug/g) Meperidine detected in liver (6) .233(ug/ml,ug/g) Normeperidine detected in blood (7) 1.12(ug/ml,ug/g) Normeperidine detected in liver (8) .172(ug/ml,ug/g) Alpha-Hydroxyalprazolam detected in urine (9) Atenolol present in kidney and liver (10) Metoprolol detected in kidney and liver Meperidine, commonly known as Demerol, and its metabolite, normeperidine are prescription drugs used for the relief of acute pain, but can cause seizures if repeatedly dosed. Alpha-Hydroxyalprazolam is a metabolite of alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, a prescription drug used for the management of anxiety and panic disorders. Atenolol and metoprolol are prescription drugs used to control high blood pressure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 EDT
Nearest AirportBriar Patch (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftQuicksilver MXL II Sport MXL II SPO
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHirth · Reciprocating · 95
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data