# NTSB WPR14CA347: Eipper Formance Mxii, N1624Z, Salt Lake City, UT, August 16, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 16, 2014, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Salt Lake City, UT - Coordinates: 40.833057, -112.821113 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8331&lon=-112.8211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA347 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89890/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89890 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA347 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was flying the airplane at 50 feet above ground level. He spotted a coyote and dropped to a lower altitude to take a closer look. He circled the coyote and was aware of the power lines near by, however, he did not compensate for the wind drift, which pushed the airplane toward the power lines. While in a 40-degree angle of bank the lower wing struck the power line. The wing folded upward and the airplane impacted the ground in an upright position substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was flying the airplane at 50 feet above ground level. He spotted a coyote and dropped to a lower altitude to take a closer look. He circled the coyote and was aware of the power lines near by, however, he did not compensate for the wind drift, which pushed the airplane toward the power lines. While in a 40-degree angle of bank the lower wing struck the power line. The wing folded upward and the airplane impacted the ground in an upright position substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1624Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1624Z), registered now, S/N 1764 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EIPPER FORMANCE INC MXII - Registry model: [Eipper Formance MXII](https://openairdocs.org/model/eipper-formance-mxii) (registry code 05902KP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1764 - Year built: 1983 - Engines: Rotax 503 46 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Judd Trenten M - Registered owner: Judd Trenten M - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2007 - Departed: Delle Station, UT - Destination: Delle Station, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KSLC, 20 nm away ## 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 20140816016939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140816016939A), Aug 16, 2014: Eipper Formance Inc MXII, Delle, UT, Substantial damage. Ultralight struck power lines while circling a coyote. The right wing 's support cables touched the power line causing them to burn through. The right wing… ## Other investigations on N1624Z (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA23LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA329), Aug 9, 2023: Eipper Formance Mxii (N1624Z), Holy Hill, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude and a collision with a hangar. Contributing to the accident was… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89890. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.