Sunday, April 14, 2019

Quicksilver MXL II, operated by the pilot as a personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, N594TC: Accident occurred July 14, 2018 near Antonio/Nery/Juarbe Pol Airport (ABO), Arecibo, Puerto Rico

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Juan, Puerto Rico

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

 
http://registry.faa.gov/N594TC


Location: Arecibo, PR
Accident Number: ERA18TA193
Date & Time: 07/14/2018, 1740 AST
Registration: N594TC
Aircraft: QUICKSILVER MXL II
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On July 14, 2018, about 1740 Atlantic standard time, an experimental light sport Quicksilver MXL II, N594TC, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing at Antonio (Nery) Juarbe Pol Airport (ABO), Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The non-certificated pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which departed at 1630.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that he was returning to ABO after about a one-hour local flight and approached runway 8. During the approach, he performed a go-around and subsequently encountered strong wind, and decided to turn 180° to land on runway 26. While turning, about 1/2 mile from runway 26, the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot landed straight ahead into marshy terrain in a nose low attitude. The pilot reported that he took off with 5 gallons of fuel on board.

According to a FAA inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the flight control surfaces to the cockpit. Engine cylinder compression and powertrain continuity were established by rotating the propeller by hand. The fuel selector was found in the off position. The fuel tank was found empty, the fuel cap remained secured, and there was no sign of fuel leakage. The fuel filter container was about 1/2 full of fuel. The ABO airport's daily aircraft activity logbook showed that the accident airplane departed at 1630 local, which resulted in a total flight time of 1 hour and 10 minutes.

According to FAA airman records, the pilot was issued a third class medical and student pilot certificate in December 2011, which expired in December 2013. There was no record found that the pilot held an airman certificate.

According to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 61, the pilot was required to hold at least a student pilot certificate, with appropriate solo endorsements, to operate the airplane.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the two-seat, single-engine, high-wing airplane was manufactured in 1995. It was equipped with a Rotax 503 DI/SC engine. The airplane had a total fuel capacity of 6-gallons. The Rotax 503 engine data sheet stated that the fuel consumption was about 5.3 to 6 gallons per hour.

The weather conditions reported at 1750 at Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN), Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, 27 miles from the accident site, included wind from 090° at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, broken clouds at 1,800 ft, temperature 28°C, and dew point 23°C. 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: None
Age: 74, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/07/2011
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: QUICKSILVER
Registration: N594TC
Model/Series: MXL II
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1995
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental Light Sport
Serial Number: 5690
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 720 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 320.1 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 503
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: BQN, 8 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 27 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1750 AST
Direction from Accident Site: 270°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 1800 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 16 knots / 23 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 90°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Arecibo, PR (ABO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Arecibo, PR (ABO)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  AST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Antonio/Nery/Juarbe Pol (ABO)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 20 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: 26
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3963 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  18.455278, -66.663056 (est)

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