Loss of Engine Power (Total): Quicksilver Sport 2S; accident occurred May 30, 2019 in Waverly, Wright County, Minnesota

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota

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

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

Location: Waverly, MN
Accident Number: GAA19CA297
Date & Time: 05/30/2019, 1945 CDT
Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: QUICKSILVER 2S SPORT
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Flight Test

Analysis 

The pilot of the unregistered airplane reported that he departed with 3 gallons of fuel and that he was flight testing the airplane by flying it low up and down a private, grass airstrip. He added that, about 1 hour 15 minutes hours into the flight, he "neglected to carefully check the fuel remaining" before taking off to conduct a teardrop maneuver. Once airborne, about 50 to 75 ft, he performed a climbing left turn and noticed the "engine was no longer producing power." He leveled the wings and pushed forward on the control stick. He began the landing flare for a forced landing in a field, and the airplane landed hard and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot recommended as a safety recommendation to "fill the fuel tank!"

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced, hard landing in a field.

Findings

Aircraft
Fuel - Fluid level (Cause)

Personnel issues
Fuel planning - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Soft surface - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering
Fuel exhaustion
Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)

Landing
Off-field or emergency landing

Hard landing

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/22/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/29/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 817 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3 hours (Total, this make and model), 730 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 11 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: QUICKSILVER
Registration: UNREG
Model/Series: 2S SPORT
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2001
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate:
Serial Number: 6794327
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/29/2019, Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 80 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:582 
Registered Owner: Richard Borrell, Stephen Lyness, Lori Nelson
Rated Power: 65 hp
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:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Waverly, MN (PVT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Waverly, MN (PVT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1945 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.000000, -94.000000 (est)