Quicksilver SPRINT 2 accident near Fresno, California, April 2, 2000
On April 2, 2000 at about 3:18 pm local time, a Quicksilver SPRINT 2, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fresno, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The overheating and seizure of the number 2 piston for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 2000 · about 3:18 pm local time
- Place
- Fresno, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Quicksilver SPRINT 2
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial 602
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot stated that he was flying about 1,200 feet mean sea level when the engine began to run roughly, then quit altogether. He was attempting to land in a field when he observed power lines in his path. During the pull-up maneuver to avoid the wires, the airplane stalled and crashed in the field. Disassembly of the Rotax 503 engine revealed that the No. 2 piston was scored and heat discolored, and had seized in the cylinder. The airplane gross weight, number of seats, and fuel capacity exceed the limitations in 14 CFR Part 103. Review of FAA aircraft and airman records disclosed no record that the airplane had ever been registered or issued an airworthiness certificate. No record was found that the pilot had ever been issued a pilot or medical certificate. A check of FAA records in the Fresno Flight Standards District Office found no evidence that the pilot/owner of the airplane had ever been issued a waiver in accordance with 14 CFR 103.5.
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
- Flight time: 90 hours in all; 80 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FCH at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 032 Reedley CA
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 181°F (83°C), dew point 106°F (41°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from FAT
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.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.