# NTSB DEN84FU002: Eipper Quicksilver MX, Libby, MT, March 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1984, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Libby, MT
- Coordinates: 48.320278, -115.359016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3203&lon=-115.3590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FU002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
  - incapacitation(organic problem), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE WAS ON AN APCH TO THE ARPT WHEN IT ENTERED A LEFT DESCENDING TURN & CONTINUED THE TURN UNTIL IMPACTING A TREE. ONE WITNESS SAID THE PLT WAS BENT OVER FORWARD. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT MADE NO MOVEMENTS WITH HIS HANDS OR FEET TO AVOID THE TREE OR INCREASE POWER. THE 1ST PERSON TO ARRIVE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE NOTICE VOMIT IN THE PLT'S MOUTH. THE PLT'S WIFE SAID HE HAD AN ULCER THAT WAS GETTING WORSE. A FRIEND REPORTED THAT ON OCCASIONS, WHILE AT WORK, THE PLT HAD TO STOP WORKING & SIT DOWN, THEN DOUBLED UP WITH PAIN. HE HAD BEEN DRINKING MILK REGULARLY & HAD BEEN TAKING A NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUG (MAALOX) TO RELIEVE ULCER DISCOMFORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER QUICKSILVER MX (QUICKSILVE)
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 4239
- Airframe hours: 150
- Engines: CUYUNA 430 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Wad Mcnutt
- Registered owner: Sky Hi Ultralights, Inc.
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 27, 1984, 10 hours before
- Airport: 559, Libby, runway 32, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5 total, 5 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °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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