History of Flight
On April 18, 2014, at approximately 1345 central daylight time, an unregistered Quicksilver GT400 airplane collided with a tree and impacted water after departing from a private grass strip near Hillsboro, Kansas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The intended destination was Alfred Schroeder Field Airport (M66) in Hillsboro, about 1.5 miles away.
According to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane had undergone extensive maintenance, and the pilot assembled portions of it prior to departure. After full assembly, the pilot attempted to start the engine. When it did not start, he poured fuel into a cylinder via the spark plug opening, and the engine started. He taxied onto the grass strip and performed a high-speed taxi, veering off the runway. He returned to the beginning and departed. After takeoff, the airplane made a steep right turn to the north, climbing to about 100 feet above ground level. Continuing north, the left wing struck a tree. The pilot was ejected from the cockpit, and the airplane continued into a pond adjacent to the tree.
An acquaintance reportedly suggested the pilot trailer the airplane to the airport, but the pilot stated he "had to fly it to the airport" and continued assembly. The acquaintance witnessed the accident.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 69, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. On November 30, 1998, he was issued a third-class special restriction medical certificate, which was not valid for night flying or by color signal control. On the medical certificate application, he reported 20 total flight hours and 0 hours in the preceding 6 months. Prior applications indicated 4,500 hours in 1991 and 1992, 30 hours in 1994, and 40 hours in 1995. His logbooks were not available during the investigation, so total flight experience could not be determined.
Aircraft Information
According to the Quicksilver Aircraft website, the GT400 is described as an ultralight. It is a kit-built, single-seat, high-wing airplane with tricycle landing gear. It can be equipped with a 47-horsepower Rotax R447 or a 50-horsepower Rotax R503 engine, and has a removable 5-gallon fuel tank. With the R503 engine, the empty weight would be about 316 pounds. The manufacturer notes that the pilot is responsible for operating the aircraft in accordance with applicable regulations. The airplane's logbooks were not available, so the extent of maintenance, configuration, and performance could not be confirmed. There was no record of FAA registration or issuance of an airworthiness certificate. FAA Part 103 defines an ultralight as having a single occupant, empty weight of 254 pounds or less, fuel capacity not exceeding 5 gallons, maximum speed not exceeding 55 knots, and a stall speed less than 24 knots.
Meteorological Information
At 1355, the automated weather observation at Newton City Airport (KEWK), Newton, Kansas, 15 miles south-southwest of the accident site, reported wind from 170 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 18 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 66°F, dew point 43°F, and altimeter setting 30.24 inches of mercury. Witnesses reported gusting wind from 15 to 20 knots and clear sky.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wooden propeller was shattered and splintered near the wreckage area. The FAA inspector confirmed continuity of the flight controls. Engine components were continuous when the propeller was rotated by hand. The airplane did not contain a seatbelt.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on April 19, 2014, at the Frontier Midwest Morgue in Kansas City, Kansas, determined the cause of death as blunt traumatic injuries. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute's Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report detected no tested-for drugs.