Amateur-built Quicksilver MX II accident near Cook, Washington, June 9, 2002
On June 9, 2002 at about 5:25 pm local time, a amateur-built Quicksilver MX II, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cook, Washington. 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
Failure to maintain aircraft control. High winds were a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 9, 2002 · about 5:25 pm local time
- Place
- Cook, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Quicksilver MX II
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial Unknown
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was flying as part of a group of aircraft flying from Sandy to Hermiston. One member of this group reported that the group encountered high winds several miles prior to the crash site. This group member said that he contacted the accident pilot on the radio, and that the accident pilot stated he was all right although the group member observed him gradually losing altitude. The group member stated that he flew past the accident aircraft about 30 seconds prior to the crash, then looked back and saw the accident aircraft on the ground. A witness in a motor vehicle, eastbound on Washington State Route 14 and traveling about 45 MPH at the time, reported to local law enforcement that the accident aircraft overtook her from the left (north) side of the vehicle, and then flew into the embankment "at about a 45 degree angle." This witness reported that the aircraft's ballistic recovery parachute deployed at impact. Winds at Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport, The Dalles, Oregon, were reported as being from 310 degrees true at 22 knots, gusting to 30 knots, at 1053. A peak wind from 310 degrees true at 33 knots was reported at The Dalles at 1038. According to data found in a commercial reference source, the Quicksilver MX II cruises at 51 MPH (44 knots). An inspector from the FAA Flight Standards District Office, Hillsboro, Oregon, examined the wreckage and reported that the engine and undamaged control surfaces appeared to be operational. He stated that there was no evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure.
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
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 720 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Sandy OR
- Destination: Hermiston OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 289° at 22 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from DLS, 18 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.
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.