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NTSB Report

September 10, 2011 · Quicksilver GT400 · N2590A

Bolingbrook, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
Aircraft
Quicksilver GT400
Tail Number
N2590A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA656

The pilot reported that following a slight reduction in engine power during climb-out a crackling sound was heard. The pilot stated that the engine then “faltered.” He moved the throttle full forward and there was no improvement in engine performance, so he made an off-field landing. The airplane was not operating in conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor icing, and the engine did not exhibit any anomalies during a postaccident engine run. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination of the engine or airframe.

Full Narrative

On September 10, 2011, about 1506 central daylight time, an experimental-light sport Quicksilver GT400 airplane, N2590A, conducted a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power near Bolingbrook, Illinois. The sport pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight departed from the Bolingbrook's Clow International Airport (1C5), near Bolingbrook, Illinois, about 1500, and was destined for the Cushing Field Ltd Airport, near Newark, Illinois. The pilot reported that he departed 1C5 at full engine power and climbed to 450 feet above ground level. He then reduced engine power and heard a crackling sound. The pilot stated that the engine “faltered.” He moved the throttle full forward and there was no improvement in engine response. He performed an off field landing. A postaccident detailed examination of the engine and airframe was conducted. The examination noted that the airframe’s main longitudinal structure tube was bent. Examination of the airplane’s fuel system revealed that the primer bulb exhibited a weathered appearance. The primer bulb installation did not contain a bypass fuel line. The primer bulb was removed from its fuel lines and no anomalies were detected when it was manipulated by hand. The fuel lines were reconnected without the primer bulb in place. The engine was started and test run. It was operational during the test run and a reason for the loss of engine power was not found. At 1515, the recorded weather at the Joliet Regional Airport, located about nine miles south of the accident site, was: wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 23 degrees C; dew point 15 degrees C; altimeter 30.02 inches of mercury. The carburetor icing probability chart included in Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, indicated that the airplane was operating in an area favorable for the formation of carburetor icing at glide power based on that recorded temperature and dew point. Subsequent to the postaccident wreckage examination, the airplane kit manufacturer was informed that there were no anomalies detected with the primer bulb. However, there was no primer bulb bypass fuel line in the accident airplane and their kit construction documents did not list a primer bulb bypass fuel line recommended by the engine manufacturer for aircraft installations utilizing a primer bulb. As an added safety measure, the kit manufacturer, in part, responded: There is nothing unusual or special about the fuel tank and engine installation on the GT400, so the use of a bypass line in conjunction with a primer would be beneficial and add some redundancy in the event that the primer check valves restrict flow, etc. We will add some supplementary guidance material to the manuals to recommend a configuration that includes a bypass line and put out a bulletin. An Accredited Representative from the Austrian Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authority reviewed this accident report. He indicated that the Authority concurs with the kit manufacturer’s addition of the primer bulb bypass supplementary guidance in accordance with the engine manufacturer’s recommendation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:06 CDT
Nearest AirportBolingbrook'S Clow Iap (2nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftQuicksilver GT400
Tail NumberN2590A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data