Amateur-built Quickie accident near Alexander, Alabama, May 31, 2003
On May 31, 2003 at about 6:17 pm local time, a amateur-built Quickie, registered N389Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Alexander, Alabama (Thomas C Russell Fld airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss engine of power due to undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2003 · about 6:17 pm local time
- Place
- Alexander, Alabama · Thomas C Russell Fld · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Quickie
- Registration
- N389Q · no longer on the register · serial 39Q
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, during climb out the engine began to emit smoke. The pilot attempted to return to the airport for an emergency landing. During the approach to land, the cockpit filled with smoke and the engine began to run rough. While on final approach to land the airplane collided with trees. Examination of the engine revealed that it produced compression on both cylinders when the crankshaft was rotated. The spark plugs were tan in color, and signs of fuel were noted on the spark plug electrodes. The ignition wiring harness on the engine was twist tied in several places, and covered with electrical tape. The fuel tank contained approximately a half a tank of fuel. Examination of the exhaust system revealed that the exhaust muffler was vented outside of the airframe under the engine compartment. There were no breaches in the exhaust system. The aircraft maintenance logs were not recovered for examination. At the conclusion of the examination no defects with the engine or airframe were found.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 400 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 447 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ALX Alexander City AL at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,417 ft by 96 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from ALX
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.