Unknown QUICKSILVER MX II UNREG

Summary

On 9 June 2002 at about 17:25 local time, a Unknown QUICKSILVER MX II registered UNREG was involved in an accident near Cook, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 June 2002 at 17:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Cook, Washington, United States

Coordinates

45.7122, -122.6739

Aircraft

Unknown QUICKSILVER MX II

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sandy → Hermiston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02LA098

1 person died.

Failure to maintain aircraft control. High winds were a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

At the time of the accident, the aircraft was flying as part of a group of aircraft flying from Sandy to Hermiston. One member of this group reported that the group encountered high winds several miles prior to the crash site. This group member said that he contacted the accident pilot on the radio, and that the accident pilot stated he was all right although the group member observed him gradually losing altitude. The group member stated that he flew past the accident aircraft about 30 seconds prior to the crash, then looked back and saw the accident aircraft on the ground. A witness in a motor vehicle, eastbound on Washington State Route 14 and traveling about 45 MPH at the time, reported to local law enforcement that the accident aircraft overtook her from the left (north) side of the vehicle, and then flew into the embankment "at about a 45 degree angle." This witness reported that the aircraft's ballistic recovery parachute deployed at impact. Winds at Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport, The Dalles, Oregon, were reported as being from 310 degrees true at 22 knots, gusting to 30 knots, at 1053. A peak wind from 310 degrees true at 33 knots was reported at The Dalles at 1038. According to data found in a commercial reference source, the Quicksilver MX II cruises at 51 MPH (44 knots). An inspector from the FAA Flight Standards District Office, Hillsboro, Oregon, examined the wreckage and reported that the engine and undamaged control surfaces appeared to be operational. He stated that there was no evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.