Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Juan, Puerto Rico
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
Accident Number: ERA20CA059
Date & Time: December 22, 2019, 09:10 Local
Registration: N211RR
Aircraft: Eipper Quicksilver
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, while attempting to take a picture of himself, he accidentally moved the fuel shutoff switch to the "off" position, which resulted in a loss of all engine power. He ditched the airplane onto open water and was rescued by boaters. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing and the structural tubing of the fuselage.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's inadvertent movement of the fuel shutoff switch to the "off" position while attempting to take a picture of himself, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a subsequent ditching in open water.
Findings
Personnel issues Use of equip/system - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Attention - Student/instructed pilot
Aircraft Fuel selector/shutoff valve - Unintentional use/operation
Aircraft Fuel - Fluid level
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute Miscellaneous/other
Enroute Fuel starvation
Enroute Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)
Emergency descent Ditching
Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 46, 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: Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Eipper
Registration: N211RR
Model/Series: Quicksilver MXII
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 0631
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:
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 582
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 65 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: TJBQ,218 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 08:50 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 6°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 90°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Mayaguez, PR
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Mayaguez, PR
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time: 09:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Unknown
Airport:
Runway Surface Type: Water
Airport Elevation:
Runway Surface Condition: Water-choppy
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 18.210556,-67.159164
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