# NTSB DEN84FU004: Eipper Quicksilver MX, Berthoud, CO, May 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1984, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Berthoud, CO
- Coordinates: 40.300556, -105.079933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3006&lon=-105.0799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FU004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FU004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ULTRALIGHTS WERE FLYING IN LOOSE FORMATION ON A SHORT X-COUNTRY. DURING THE FLT, THE WIND SHIFTED TO THE EAST AND CREATED SOME TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS NEAR THE END OF THE JOURNEY ON FINAL APPROACH. THE LEAD VEHICLE LANDED WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE THAT HIS COMPANION HAD CRASHED. WITNESSES SAW THE ACCIDENT ULTRALIGHT IN APPARENT TROUBLE DESCENDING AND ASCENDING BEFORE DIVING INTO THE GROUND. THE SURVIVING PLT OF THE OTHER ACFT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED A SINK OVER A DEPRESSION WHILE ON FINAL, BUT NEEDED IT TO LOSE ALT SO IT DID NOT BOTHER HIM AND HE LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND INTACT AND ALL ACFT PARTS WERE ACCOUNTED FOR. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF AN INFLIGHT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER QUICKSILVER MX (QUICKSILVE)
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 3136093
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: Rotax R503 46 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Featheraire Aviation
- Departed: 48V, ERIE, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 10 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 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.

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