Quicksilver Aircraft GT-500 accident near Big Lake, Texas, May 11, 2010
On May 11, 2010 at about 1:50 pm local time, a Quicksilver Aircraft GT-500, registered N5502D, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Big Lake, Texas (Reagan County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control when the airplane unexpectedly encountered a downdraft shortly after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2010 · about 1:50 pm local time
- Place
- Big Lake, Texas · Reagan County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Quicksilver Aircraft GT-500
- Registration
- N5502D · no longer on the register · serial GT5 TC0103
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during takeoff and at about 150 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a downdraft and the airplane started to descend. He added that there were no problems with the engine and he had full power, but that the airplane could not climb. The airplane then descended and impacted terrain and skidded along the ground before coming to rest in an inverted position. Additionally, he stated that the wind was from the south, at about 5 mph at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no preaccident anomalies with the airplane.
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
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 7,600 hours in all; 3,500 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582UL (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Neos LTD
The flight
- Departed from: E41 Big Lake TX
- Destination: New Orleans LA
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 16, 4,032 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: ovct at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 1:43 pm from KOZA, 31 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.