# NTSB DEN84FU001: Eipper Quicksilver E, Fargo, ND, November 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1983, 17:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Coordinates: 46.889606, -97.050216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8896&lon=-97.0502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FU001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FU001

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, other
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other

## Analysis

THE NON-RATED PLT HAD TAKEN GROUND & DUAL FLT INSTRUCTION IN ULTRALIGHT FLYING & HAD SOLOED EARLIER THAT DAY. HE THEN TOOK OFF & FLEW EAST, AWAY FROM THE DESIGNATED ULTRALIGHT TRAINING AREA. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, WITNESSES DRIVING EAST ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SAW THE PLT FLYING WESTBOUND AT LOW ALTITUDE. TWO WITNESSES SAID THE PLT WAVED AT THEM AS HE FLEW BY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THEY NOTICED A SHOWER OF SPARKS TO THEIR REAR. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE. THE ULTRALIGHT REMAINED ENTANGLED IN THE WIRES FOR AN ESTIMATED 35 TO 45 SECONDS. IT BEGAN BURNING BEFORE IT FELL TO THE GROUND. REPORTEDLY, THERE WAS A 'SMALL EXPLOSION' WHEN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK WAS MELTED BY THE FIRE. THE PLT WAS BURNED OVER 57% OF HIS BODY WITH 3RD DEGREE BURNS, BUT SURVIVED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 2 TO 3 MIN AFTER SUNSET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER QUICKSILVER E (QUICKSILVE)
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 1510
- Engines: CUYUNA 215 22 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: C. L. Evenson & Ralph Hiltwien
- Departed: MAPLETON, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 7 total, 5 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 8 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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