No fatalities

11 Jul 2020: QUICKIE Q2 — Preston, ID

Preston, ID, United States

On 11 Jul 2020, a QUICKIE Q2 was involved in an aviation accident near Preston, ID. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported porpoising and a collision with terrain during takeoff roll. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, canard, and empennage.

Incident Narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll, approximately two-thirds of the way down the runway, the airplane was not lifting off as normal at rotation speed of 70 mph. At 75 mph, the situation remained unchanged. The pilot then attempted to place the airplane into ground effect, a technique he had learned in other aircraft types but not in this airplane. He recalled that he added "too much forward stick," causing the airplane to porpoise, ascend, and roll to the right. After leveling the wings, the airplane descended and collided with terrain.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the canard, and the empennage.

Pilot's Account

The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that he did not accomplish any performance planning for the atmospheric conditions before the flight. At the time of the accident, the density altitude was calculated at 6,977 feet.

Post-Accident Inspection

No additional information regarding the post-accident inspection was provided in the source.

Contributing factors

PilotEffect on equipment