# NTSB ATL85LA238: Eipper MX-2, N3986K, Greenville, SC, August 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1985, 12:16 local (16:16 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.909313, -82.390991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9093&lon=-82.3910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA238

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - deployed inadvertently (cause)
  - tie down - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - equipment,other - conflicting, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING ALTITUDE THE PARACHUTE , WHICH WAS SECURED TO THE RIGHT SEAT, WAS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AND BECAME TANGLED IN THE PROPELLER.  THE ACFT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND WHILE INVERTED AT A SLOW RATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3986K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER MX-2
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 1405
- Airframe hours: 140
- Engines: ROTAX 503 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Benjamin R. Mull
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 140 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 12 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850803036069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850803036069A), Aug 3, 1985: Amtr MX2, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. While in left bank parachute came out from under seat and struck the propeller and opened. Aircraft fell to ground.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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