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NTSB Report

May 24, 2004 · Quicksilver GT-500 · N5XY

Cleveland, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Cleveland, GA
Aircraft
Quicksilver GT-500
Tail Number
N5XY
Operator
Kenneth Franck
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA122

According to the student pilot, there was a "significant crosswind" at the time of landing. The student pilot stated that he cannot recall any other events prior to or during the accident. The owner of the property where the airplane came to rest stated that on the afternoon of the accident, the winds were gusting from a westerly direction. Witnesses stated that the airplane was landing toward the south, when the airplane bounced on the runway, and the pilot attempted to take-off. As the pilot maneuvered for the climb out, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, collided with 20-foot tall trees 20 feet from the edge of the runway, where it was lodged in a level attitude approximately 12 feet above the ground. The wreckage site was approximately mid-field (1400 feet down the runway), 20 feet left of the runway surface. A post-accident examination of the airplane was unable to be performed. Witnesses stated that the tail assembly was separated from the fuselage and both wings were crushed aft. The Quicksilver GT-500 is a sport category, experimental aircraft. It has a reported take-off distance of 220 feet and landing distance of 260 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind during takeoff. A factor was crosswind condition.

Full Narrative

On May 24, 2004, at 1554 eastern daylight time, a Quicksilver GT-500 experimental airplane, N5XY, registered to and operated by a student pilot, collided with trees during an attempt to take off after a bounced landing at Mountain Airpark, Cleveland, Georgia. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot suffered serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Mathis Field, Cumming, Georgia on May 24, 2004, at an undetermined time. According to the student pilot, there was a "significant crosswind" at the time of landing. The student pilot stated that he cannot recall any other events prior to or during the accident. The owner of the property where the airplane came to rest stated that on the afternoon of the accident, the winds were gusting from a westerly direction. Witnesses stated that the airplane was landing toward the south, when the airplane bounced on the runway, and the pilot attempted to take-off. As the pilot maneuvered for the climb out, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, collided with 20-foot tall trees 20 feet from the edge of the runway, where it was lodged in a level attitude approximately 12 feet above the ground. The wreckage site was approximately mid-field, 20 feet left of the runway surface. A post-accident examination of the airplane was unable to be performed. Witnesses stated that the tail assembly was separated from the fuselage and both wings were crushed aft. Mountain Airpark in Cleveland, Georgia is a private fly-in community. The north-south oriented runway is 2800 feet long and 150 feet wide with trees surrounding all sides of the runway. The runway surface is turf/grass, and has a field elevation of 1438 feet above mean sea level. The Quicksilver GT-500 is a sport category, experimental aircraft. It has a reported take-off distance of 220 feet and landing distance of 260 feet. Pilot and aircraft logbooks were not recovered for examination, however, approximately one month prior to the accident, the student pilot reported four hours of total flight time on his medical examination application. Efforts to secure a 6120.1/2 NTSB Pilot/Operator Report from the pilot were unsuccessful.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:54 EDT
Nearest AirportMountain Airpark (0nm N)
Runwayn/s
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftQuicksilver GT-500
Tail NumberN5XY
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKenneth Franck
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data