Amateur-built QUICKIE accident near Fostoria, Ohio, April 2, 1997
On April 2, 1997 at about 10:00 pm local time, a amateur-built QUICKIE, registered N53ET, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fostoria, Ohio (Fostoria Metro airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a disconnect of electrical wires to the engine ignition, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing, and the wheat (crop) that was encountered during the landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 1997 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Fostoria, Ohio · Fostoria Metro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built QUICKIE
- Registration
- N53ET · no longer on the register · serial 007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff at about 100 feet AGL, the engine lost power. During a subsequent forced landing, the airplane nosed over in a wheat field. Examination of the airplane revealed that the two wires that provide battery power to the engine ignition had separated. When the wires were reconnected, the ignition system functioned normally. The ignition switch was located on the instrument panel, which was part of the canopy that rotated approximately 90 degrees, when it was opened.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 400 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 20 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 30, 1996; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 480 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Onan 22 HP (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FZI OH at 10:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 4,199 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 pm from FDY, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.