Quicksilver GT400 accident near Bolingbrook, Illinois, September 10, 2011
On September 10, 2011 at about 8:06 pm local time, a Quicksilver GT400, registered N2590A, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Bolingbrook, Illinois (Bolingbrook'S Clow Iap 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 of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination of the engine or airframe.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 10, 2011 · about 8:06 pm local time
- Place
- Bolingbrook, Illinois · Bolingbrook'S Clow Iap · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Quicksilver GT400 · all GT400s on the register
- Registration
- N2590A · no longer on the register · serial 1406
- 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 following a slight reduction in engine power during climb-out a crackling sound was heard. The pilot stated that the engine then “faltered.” He moved the throttle full forward and there was no improvement in engine performance, so he made an off-field landing. The airplane was not operating in conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor icing, and the engine did not exhibit any anomalies during a postaccident engine run. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: October 1, 2009
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 179 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 19, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1C5 Bolingbrook IL at 8:00 pm
- Destination: 0C8 Newark IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from JOT, 9 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.