LAX83FU011

NTSB accident investigation · Eipper MX · Ramona, CA · July 20, 1983

Accident · Serious injuriesFinal report
Date
July 20, 1983, 09:21 local (16:21 UTC)
Place
Ramona, CA
Injuries
1 serious
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
UNREGEipper MX
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
Case key
23531

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - initial climb
Terrain condition - high obstruction(s)Factor
Flight controls - improper use ofPilot in commandCause
Inadequate trainingPilot in commandFactor
Airspeed - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Stall/mush - inadvertentPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterTakeoff

Analysis

After receiving dual instruction in a 2 place, training vehicle, the plt took off on a solo flt from a 270 x 25 ft ultralight strip. He reported that after lift-off, the vehicle started drifting toward a tree. He initiated a turn to the right (away from the tree); but the vehicle began losing lift & subsequently crashed in a nose high, slightly right wing low attitude. The plt reported that the eng operated normally & that he did not use the spoilerons. However, witnesses observed the vehicle in an erratic yaw & reported seeing extension on the right spoileron & left rudder deflection, then later saw the left spoileron extend. The plt's instructor called on the radio to retract the spoilerons& increase power, but the plt stated he did not hear the transmission. The plt stated that his dual training, during thepreceeding 2 months, consisted of takeoffs & landings only, and that he was not taught to use spoilerons and/or stall & slip maneuvers. The 2 place ultralight, used for dual training, was not equipped with spoilerons.

Aircraft

Registration
UNREG
Reported as
Eipper MX
Category
Ultralight, amateur-built
Engine
Cuyuna UNK/NR, 35 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 103
Registered owner
William Jenner-John Hoose
Airport
San Diego Ultra-Light, runway 27, 270 × 25 ft, grass/turf

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Unknown
Seat
Center

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
20 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
75 °F