Amateur-built QUICKSILVER SPORT 2S accident near Cleveland, Georgia, May 20, 2024
On May 20, 2024 at about 12:42 pm local time, a 2011 amateur-built QUICKSILVER SPORT 2S, registered N960B, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Cleveland, Georgia (Mountain Airpark airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the accident airplane make and model.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 2024 · about 12:42 pm local time
- Place
- Cleveland, Georgia · Mountain Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built QUICKSILVER SPORT 2S NO SERIES, built 2011
- Registration
- N960B · registry record · serial 0249
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The owner of the experimental amateur-built airplane transported it via ground to the sport pilot/light sport aircraft repairman’s facility at a grass airstrip, so that an annual condition inspection could be completed. Although the sport pilot/repairman had performed maintenance work on the airplane make and model, he had never flown one. After the sport pilot completed the inspection, he attempted a post-maintenance flight. Airport security video revealed that immediately after liftoff, the airplane turned left about 90°. The engine noise decreased, and the airplane appeared to momentarily come under control; however, it was flying toward the front of a hangar. The engine nose increased again, and the airplane cleared the hangar, but as it climbed in a left turn it encountered an aerodynamic stall, spun to the left, and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. The airplane owner described that due to the short tail, the airplane lacked rudder effectiveness at slow airspeeds and was subject to left turning tendencies (p-factor). After viewing the video, the airplane owner further stated that it appeared the sport pilot rotated too early and over-rotated, resulting in the loss of control to the left.
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 control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 906 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Last flight review: October 21, 2022
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 8, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 29 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway N, 2,500 ft by 130 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,600 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 am from AJR, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAJR 201255Z AUTO 11003KT 7SM OVC026 19/15 A3006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA24FA221.