# NTSB BFO86FA006: Eipper Quicksilver MXL II, N401WA, Parkton, MD, November 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1985, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Parkton, MD
- Coordinates: 39.64915, -76.670303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6491&lon=-76.6703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA006

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - rising
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER QUICKSILVER MXL II (QUICKSILVE)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1027
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 22; 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

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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