# NTSB LAX84FU024: Eipper MX, Ramona, CA, December 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1983, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, CA
- Coordinates: 33.070247, -116.830886 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0702&lon=-116.8309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24013
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FU024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24013/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FU024

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - wing,bracing strut - disconnected (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE TO CHECK IT OUT BEFORE ALLOWING HIS STUDENT TO SOLO. APRX 15 MIN AFTER THE PLT TOOK OFF, HE WAS FLYING OVER THE ARPT AT ABOUT 400 FT AGL WHEN WITNESSES HEARD A 'LOUD NON-METALLIC' SOUND FROM THE VEHICLE. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, IT ENTERED A LEFT DESCENDING TURN. REPORTEDLY, THE VEHICLE MADE ABOUT 3 TURNS, AND DURING EACH TURN, THE BANK ANGLE INCREASED. AT APRX 200 FT AGL, THE PLT RELEASED HIS PARACHUTE, BUT THE CANOPY NEVER BLOSSOMED.THE VEHICLE IMPACTED IN A LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT WING FABRIC WAS TORN IN A MANNER THAT WAS CONSISTENT WITH AN IN-FLT SEPARATION. THE OUTBOARD COMPRESSION SUPPORT TUBE WAS FOUND 15 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. ONLY REMNANTS OF THE ATTACH BOLT WERE FOUND. FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER OCT 83, THE COMPANY HAD CHANGED THE GRADE OF THE BOLT, BUT HAD NOT ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN. HOWEVER, A SERVICE BULLETIN, ALL-8303-A, WAS ISSUED CONCERNING LOOSENING OF COURSE THREAD BOLTS (SIMILAR TO THE ATTACH BOLT) BUT NO EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER MX
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: CUYUNA UNKNOWN 32 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: San Diego Ultralight Airpark
- Airport: runway 27, 1,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ, 18 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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