BFO86FA006

NTSB accident investigation · Eipper Quicksilver MXL II · Parkton, MD · November 17, 1985

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report
Date
November 17, 1985, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
Place
Parkton, MD
Injuries
1 fatal, 1 minor
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N401WAEipper Quicksilver MXL II
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
Case key
11197

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectGo-around (vfr)
Terrain condition - rising
Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selectedPilot in commandCause
Object - tree(s)Factor
Go-around - delayedPilot in commandCause
Lack of total experiencePilot in commandFactor

Analysis

Witnesses in the area observed the vehicle flying in the local area at other times however this was the first time they had seen two people in it. They also observed the vehicle flying erratically after liftoff and noted that the winds were gusty. Upon returning for landing the vehicle was noted to descend over a set of high tension wires into a sloping grass covered field about 600 feet long which rose at the opposite end. It was then observed to attempt to climb up above the rising terrain and collide with a tree about 30 feet high located next to the left rear corner of a house. The owner of the residence observed and heard the engine run a a constant pitch up until impact with the tree. The student-pilot had been warned by personnel representing the company who he had purchased the mxl ii from that the above mentioned field was unsafe to fly out of.

Aircraft

Registration
N401WA
Reported as
Eipper Quicksilver MXL II (QUICKSILVE)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
1027
Engine
Bombardier GMBH 503, 46 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Robert A. Webber
Departed
Parkton, MD
Destination
Parkton, MD

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
22
Certificate
Student
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
280° at 10 knots
Visibility
20 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
25,000 ft broken
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 46 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
BWI, 32 nm away