Amateur-built QUICKSILVER MX accident near North Platte, Nebraska, September 1, 1984
On September 1, 1984 at about 10:20 pm local time, a amateur-built QUICKSILVER MX (ultralight), registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident near North Platte, Nebraska (Pelican Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under ultralight rules (Part 103). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 1, 1984 · about 10:20 pm local time
- Place
- North Platte, Nebraska · Pelican Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built QUICKSILVER MX QUICKSILVE
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · ultralight rules (Part 103)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ULTRALIGHT OPERATOR SAID HE TURNED OFF THE SELECTOR VALVE AFTER A PREVIOUS LANDING. DURING A LATER TAKEOFF, HE FAILED TO USE A CHECKLIST AND DID NOT RESET THE SELECTOR. THE ENGINE QUIT AT ABOUT 30 FT AGL. GROUND WITNESSES HEARD THEENGINE SPUTTER AND OBSERVED THE VEHICLE PITCHING UP AND DOWNBEFORE GROUND IMPACT. THE VEHICLE NOSED OVER AND THE OPERATOR HURT HIS BACK WHEN HE RELEASED HIS BELTS AND FELL ON THE ENGINE DURING EGRESS FROM THE WRECKAGE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 20 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 377 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: North Platte NE at 10:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,400 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded at 11,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:47 pm from LBF, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.