Quicksilver GT-400 R503 N415HC

Summary

On 1 January 2017 at about 17:30 local time, a Quicksilver GT-400 R503 registered N415HC was involved in an accident near New Braunfels, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 January 2017 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

New Braunfels, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.6414, -98.2028

Aircraft

Quicksilver GT-400 R503

Registration

N415HC

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Schertz → Schertz

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17LA079

Nobody was injured.

The partial loss of engine power due to a loose spark plug. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper preflight inspection of the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The sport pilot reported that, about 15 minutes into the pleasure flight, the engine began "sputtering" and losing power. The pilot attempted to correct the problem by adjusting the throttle and applying the engine primer without success. The pilot then selected a field for a forced landing, during which the right main landing gear struck a power line. The airplane then flipped over and subsequently impacted a carport rooftop. Examination of the engine revealed that one of the four spark plugs was loose in the cylinder, which led to a loss of compression and partial loss of engine power. The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "closer inspection of checking spark plugs before flight."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.