Quicksilver GT 400 accident near Garden Ridge, Texas, October 8, 2024
On October 8, 2024 at about 3:55 pm local time, a 2001 Quicksilver GT 400, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N2490H, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Garden Ridge, Texas (Kitty Hawk Flying Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power that resulted from improper fuel system maintenance and the subsequent fuel starvation due to the leaking fuel pump outlet fuel line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 8, 2024 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Garden Ridge, Texas · Kitty Hawk Flying Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Quicksilver GT 400, built 2001, amateur-built · all GT 400s on the register
- Registration
- N2490H · registry record · serial 082195G
- 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 performed maintenance to the engine carburetor and fuel lines, then completed multiple full-power engine tests before the accident flight. The preflight and engine run-up before takeoff were normal and no anomalies were noted. During the takeoff roll, the engine achieved full rpm. About 100 ft above ground level, the engine exhibited a reduction in power to idle rpm. Due to a stationary train car parked on a railroad track in his forward flight path, the pilot executed a low altitude right turn. During the turn, the pilot was unable to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the outlet fuel pump line was found to have an improperly sized clamp, the line was cracked, and fuel was leaking from the fuel pump line to the carburetor. No other mechanical issues were noted with the airplane or engine. Based on the fuel system evidence, it was likely the partial loss of engine power resulted from fuel starvation due to the improper maintenance of the fuel system.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during initial climb
- Fuel starvation during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, remote
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 22,000 hours in all; 20 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 10, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 249 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 600 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 244 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 am from KRND, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KRND 081555Z AUTO 36003KT 10SM CLR 28/14 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP144 T02840139
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on March 12, 2025. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.