Quicksilver MXL II
Cleveland, GA — September 6, 2008
Event Information
| Date | September 6, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | NYC08CA304 |
| Event ID | 20081007X45418 |
| Location | Cleveland, GA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 34.56194, -83.71361 |
| Airport | Mountain Airpark |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | Quicksilver |
| Model | MXL II |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper approach to the runway resulting in his being unable to flare prior to a hard landing.
Full Narrative
The non-certificated pilot and his passenger took off from the turf strip in the experimental light sport Quicksilver MXL II, and flew for a short time before returning for a landing. The airplane touched down normally, and the pilot intentionally lifted off again. The pilot climbed to an altitude of approximately 50 feet above the runway, where he pitched the nose down to land again. The airplane attitude and flight path was "too steep to flare," and the pilot was unable to prevent the airplane from impacting the runway, which resulted in substantial airplane damage. The tubular frame of the airplane was fractured and bent in multiple locations. The pilot, seated in the left seat, was uninjured. His passenger, seated in the right seat, incurred serious injuries. The winds were calm, and daylight conditions existed at the time of the accident. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems on the accident flight.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.