# NTSB LAX83FU016: Eipper MX, Visalia, CA, September 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1983, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Visalia, CA
- Coordinates: 36.290081, -119.379066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2901&lon=-119.3791&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): 23535
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FU016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23535/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FU016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THIS ULTRALIGHT PLT, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, EXPRESSED SOME ANXIETY ABOUT FLYING ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE INSTRUCTOR REVIEWED THE PROCEDURES WITH HER ON THE GROUND, BUT DID NOT FLY WITH HER. THE ACFT, PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, HAD LESS THAN 2 GALLONS OF FUEL. IT BURNS 2 GALS/HR. THIS FLT WAS SCHEDULED FOR 30 MINUTES. THE ACFT FLEW FOR ABOUT 15 MINS.AFTER TAKEOFF PRIOR TO RETURNING TO LAND. THE ACFT MADE SEVERAL APPROACHES ONLY TO GO-AROUND. THE INSTRUCTOR AND HIS PARTNER TOOKOFF IN A 2 PLACE VEHICLE TO TRY TO LEAD THE STUDENT IN, BUT BROKE OFF THEIR APPROACH BEFORE SHE LANDES. SHE GOT ABOUT 2 FT AGL, BUT WENT AROUND AGAIN WITHOUT EVER REDUCING THE POWER BELOW 75 PERCENT. ON THE NEXT BASE LEG THE ACFT PITCHED UP AND STALLED AFTER WHICH IT PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND CRASHED. AFTER CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE PROPELLER WAS NOT ROTATING AT GROUND CONTACT AND THE ACFT AND ENGINE CONTAINED NO FUEL. THE ENGINE OPERATED AFTER REFUELING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER MX
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 5607
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: ROTAX 377 32 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 103
- Registered owner: John And Mary Dittner
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1983, 6 hours before
- Airport: runway 25, 1,200 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13 total, 13 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIS, 4 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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