# NTSB CHI84FU001: Quicksilver MX, Elwin, IL, November 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1983, 17:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Elwin, IL
- Coordinates: 39.760723, -88.989418 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7607&lon=-88.9894&mi=10
- 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): 12435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FU001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FU001

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT POSSESSED A STUDENT PLT & 3RD CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE CIRCLED OVER THE AIRFIELD, THEN CLIMBED TO ABOUT 200 FT AGL. A HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATE STATED THAT THE ULTRALIGHT THEN ENTERED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE & APPEARED TO ENTER A PRACTICE STALL MANEUVER. BASED ON WITNESS OBSERVATIONS, THE ULTRALIGHT ENTERED THIS MANEUVER FROM ABOUT 150 TO 250 FT AGL. THE ULTRALIGHT THEN WENT INTO A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE ULTRALIGHT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: QUICKSILVER MX
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: NONE
- Airframe hours: 150
- Engines: CUYUNA 430 39 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Paul Miller
- Departed: ELWIN, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 73 total, 30 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.