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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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June 1, 2010 · Shaffer William C Quicksilver MX II SP · N4399J

Visalia, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 1, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Visalia, CA
Aircraft
Shaffer William C Quicksilver MX II SP
Tail Number
N4399J
Operator
Roland Longpre
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR10LA271

A witness observed the airplane in a field moving back and forth across a makeshift dirt landing strip. He then observed the airplane take off and fly in a “circling maneuver” for approximately one hour. The witness stated that the airplane was flying eastbound over the makeshift landing strip and he watched as it attempted to land in windy conditions. He observed the airplane blown by the wind slightly to the south of the landing strip and crash, flipping over an unknown number of times. A police officer noted that this may have been the pilot’s first actual flight in this airplane and that at the time of the accident there was “a variable wind in the area that did pick up.” Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane landed on a soft/rough surface off the runway which resulted in the collapse of the right main gear. Further damage to the airplane occurred when the pusher propeller cut through a tail support tube of the airplane. The pilot did not hold any pilot or medical certificate.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions and failure to maintain runway alignment while landing.

Full Narrative

On June 1, 2010, about 1320 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Quicksilver MX II SP airplane, N4399J, was substantially damaged during landing in a field near Visalia, California. The non-certified pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was uninjured. The airplane had recently been purchased and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In a witness statement obtained by the Visalia Police Department, the witness observed a yellow airplane in a field moving back and forth across a dirt landing strip. He then observed the airplane take off and fly in a “circling maneuver” for approximately one hour. The witness stated that the airplane was flying eastbound over the makeshift landing strip and he watched as it attempted to land in windy conditions. He observed the airplane blown by the wind slightly to the south of the landing strip and crash, flipping over an unknown number of times. The pilot stated to the Visalia Police Department that he had just purchased the airplane and that he had flown this type of airplane in the past. The responding officer indicated in the police report that this may have been the pilot’s first actual flight in this airplane. He also documented that at the time of the accident there was “a variable wind in the area that did pick up.” The police report documented that one of the landing gear tires made contact with the ground approximately 45 feet south of the runway and that the airplane appeared to be traveling in a southeasterly direction. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane landed on a soft/rough surface which resulted in the collapse of the right main gear. Further damage to the airplane occurred when the pusher propeller cut through a tail support tube of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 PDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Runway (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftShaffer William C Quicksilver MX II SP
Tail NumberN4399J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRoland Longpre
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582DCDI · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data