Amateur-built QUICKSILVER GT 400 accident near Oak Grove, Louisiana, November 19, 2012
On November 19, 2012 at about 2:30 pm local time, a amateur-built QUICKSILVER GT 400, registered N4031Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Oak Grove, Louisiana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power, the specific cause of which could not be identified during the postaccident examination, and the airplane’s subsequent impact with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 19, 2012 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Oak Grove, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built QUICKSILVER GT 400
- Registration
- N4031Q · no longer on the register · serial 1444
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had recently purchased the light-sport airplane and was on his first flight in the airplane. A witness reported seeing the airplane disappear from sight; the engine sound stopped, and immediately heard a crash. Examination revealed that the airplane collided with a tree, before impacting the ground in a nose down, left wing low attitude. Additionally, the examination revealed the airplane was equipped with a ballistic parachute system; however, the safety pin was found still installed in the parachute's firing handle. The airplane was equipped with an electric fuel pump installed in series with the engine's fuel pump. The engine manufacturer's manual states the following: "If the fuel tank is considerably lower than the engine, an electric pump should be used; this pump is to be connected in parallel as in case of series-connection the fuel pressure would be excessive." The fuel pump installed on the engine was identified as one typically used on two stroke engines. The engine technician noted that this style pump does not have the bleed holes in it, and without these bleed holes, this style pump may hydro lock. The in-line fuel filter installed was a paper type filter and appeared dirty with contaminates in it. Additionally, the installation manual states the following: "A suitable fuel filter of 0.15 mm mesh size must be fitted between pump and carburetor. Do not use paper filters." Although, the examination noted these abnormalities, a specific reason for the loss of engine power was not identified; however, it is likely that one or more of these abnormalities resulted in the engine's loss of power.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during approach
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Oak Grove LA
- Destination: Oak Grove LA
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 pm from KBQP, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on November 19, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 13-042 Ignition Switch | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Reports from Federal Agencies | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Medical Factual | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo: Accident Airplane (Sheriff Photo) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.