# NTSB MKC83LA226: Eipper Quicksilver, N3150X, Wichita, KS, September 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1983, 19:15 local (Sep 22, 1983, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Wichita, KS
- Coordinates: 37.769847, -97.170684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7698&lon=-97.1707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA226

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, dual student (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) & STUDENT WERE ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, USING A REGISTERED, 2 PLACE, ULTRALIGHT ACFT WITH A SINGLE CONTROL STICK. ACCORDING TO THE CFI, THE STUDENT WAS MAKING A TAKEOFF TOWARD THE SOUTHWEST WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND & THE RIGHT WING DROPPED. AT THAT TIME, THE CFI REACHED FOR THE CONTROL STICK, LOCATED BETWEEN THE 2 SEATS, TO HELP THE STUDENT REGAIN CONTROL. REPORTEDLY, THE STUDENT RELEASED THE STICK BEFORE THE CFI HAD TIME TO GRAB IT. THE STICK WENT FULL FORWARD & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE CFI GRABBED THE STICK & TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL. HOWEVER, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO RECOVER & THE ULTRALIGHT CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WIND WAS REPORTED FROM 240 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3150X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3150X-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 1006, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EIPPER QUICKSILVER (QUICKSILVE)
- Registry model: [Stearman QUICKSILVER MX II](https://openairdocs.org/model/stearman-quicksilver-mx-ii) (registry code 05647WP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Cuyuna ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cuyuna-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 19050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1006
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stearman Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1982, 200 hours before
- Airport: PVT, Wichita Gliderport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,519 total, 9 in this make and model, 1,416 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830921052689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830921052689A), Sep 21, 1983: Amtr QUICKSILVER, Wichita, KS, Substantial damage. Student lost control of aircraft during takeoff and released control before instructor could take over.

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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