Eris E. Ervin Quicksilver accident near Cleburne, Texas, September 25, 2017
On September 25, 2017 at about 10:27 pm local time, a 1994 Eris E. Ervin Quicksilver, registered N5112S, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Cleburne, Texas (Blackwood airport). 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
An engine loss of power due to fuel starvation from a broken fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine; the loss of engine power prevented the pilot from reaching a suitable landing area. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance of the engine and its components.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 2017 · about 10:27 pm local time
- Place
- Cleburne, Texas · Blackwood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eris E. Ervin Quicksilver GT 400S, built 1994
- Registration
- N5112S · no longer on the register · serial 1419
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noncertificated pilot was departing in the experimental light sport airplane when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to return to the runway, but the airplane impacted trees and a fence west of the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel line between the fuel tank and engine was brittle and cracked and had broken. Both carburetor bowls were dry. Additionally, putty was found at the fuel tank outlet connector, consistent with a repair to prevent or fix a fuel leak, and the engine air filter was dirty. Although no maintenance records were located, the condition of the engine and its components suggested that it was not being properly maintained. It is likely that the engine experienced a total loss of power due to fuel starvation as a result of the broken fuel line; the loss of engine power prevented the pilot from reaching a suitable landing area. Toxicological testing found potentially impairing drugs in the pilot; however, it is unlikely that the negative effects of the drugs directly contributed to the outcome of this accident.
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 initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Failure
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 25 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 570 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 DCDI (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TX46 Cleburne TX at 10:25 pm
- Destination: TX46 Cleburne TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,600 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 10:35 pm from KCPT, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on September 27, 2018. 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 | North Texas Fsdo, Accident Notification | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's Narrative (Edited) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Site Proximity to Blackwood Airpark | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Toxicology Report, Jade C. Rogers | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Report Photos | PDF, 2 pages | 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.