# NTSB DEN84LU007: Eipper Quicksilver MXL, Granby, CO, July 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1984, 10:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Granby, CO
- Coordinates: 40.080356, -105.929672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0804&lon=-105.9297&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): 16498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LU007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LU007

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER A LAKE & HAD TO PULL UP TO CROSS OVER A DAM. AFTER CROSSING THE DAM, HE BEGAN TO DESCEND, BUT THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES ON THE DOWN RIVER SIDE OF THE DAM. THE POWER LINES WERE ABOUT 135 FT ABOVE THE TERRAIN ON THAT SIDE OF THE DAM. AFTER HITTING THE LINES, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN & WENT INTO THE GROUND WITH FULL POWER. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO DEPLOY THE PARACHUTE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE AIRFRAME. THE POWER LINES WERE NOT MARKED & WOULD HAVE BEEN HARD TO SEE WITH TERRAIN FEATURES IN THE BACKGROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER QUICKSILVER MXL (QUICKSILVE)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: ROTAX 503 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: 12
- Registered owner: Vehicle Not Registered

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 500 total, 56 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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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