# NTSB CHI83FU008: Eipper Quicksilver MX, Shelby Township, MI, August 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1983, 20:20 local (Aug 10, 1983, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Shelby Township, MI
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FU008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FU008

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ULTRALIGHT WAS FLYING LOW OVER A GRAVEL PIT AND SUDDENLY PULLED UP AND WENT INTO A DIVE. THE ACFT ENGINE WAS RUNNINGTHROUGHOUT THE MANEUVER ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. THE ACFT DID NOT PULL OUT OF THE DIVE AND THE ACFT DOVE INTO THE WATER. ONE WITNESS THOUGHT THE WINDY DAY MIGHT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PLT GETTING INTO TOO STEEP A DIVING MANEUVER AT LOW ALT ACCORDING TO A CO-OWNER OF THE ACFT WHO ALSO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT, THIS WAS THE PLTS 2ND FLT IN THIS ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER QUICKSILVER MX (QUICKSILVE)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4631
- Engines: CUYUNA 430D 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Merton W. Harris
- Registered owner: Merton W. Harris

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

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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