20010313004419A

(.19) On March 13, 2001, at 1130 CST, an Ercoupe 415-C airplane, N93504, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during final approach to the Clover Field Airport, Houston, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Clover Field Airport at 1100. According to witnesses, the airplane was executing touch and go landings to runway 14R. One witness reported that he observed the airplane on final approach and it "looked different" than it had on previous approaches. The witnesses reported that it appeared as if the airplane was aligned with the taxiway which runs parallel to the right side of runway 14R. The airplane then "banked steeply to the left", and the left wing tip contacted trees and , subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground. According to FAA inspectors, who examined the airplane at the accident site, both wings were bent aft and the right wing's skin separated from the leading edge aft, and exposed the main wing spar. He added that the fuselage, empennage, and tail structure sustained structural damage. (-23) while performing touch and go landings, the pilot realized that he was lined up for approach to the taxi way instead of runway 14F. The pilot also stated that by the time he realized that he was lined up incorrectly he was low and slow. While trying to correct, the pilot struck a grove of trees at an approx. heading of 090 degrees. The a/c came to rest at that same heading at an approx. nose down attitude of 045 degrees. The a/c was substantially damaged and the pilot received relative minor injuries. The a/c maintenance records, airworthiness and registration certificates appeared to be in order. The investigation revealed no anomalies, mechanically, in the a/c. (.4)on March 13, 2001, at 1145 central standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C airplane, N93504, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during final approach to the Clover Field Airport, Houston, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane, susta ined serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Clover Field Airport at 1130. According to the pilot, he was executing touch-and-go landings to runway 14R. He reported that he misjudged the turn from the downwind leg to the base leg, which resulted in a premature descent. He stated that he should have executed a go-around; however, he elected to continue toward the runway. Subsequently, the airplane's altitude on the final approach leg was low and the left wing contacted trees. The airplane then entered a descent and impacted the ground. Witnesses verified that the airplane was executing touch-and-go landings to runway 14R. One witness reported that he observed the airplane on final approach and it "looked different" than it had on previous approaches. They observed the airplane "bank steeply to the left" and, subsequently, impact the ground. According to FAA inspectors, who examined the airplane at the accident site, both wings were bent aft. The right wing's skin separated from the leading edge aft, which exposed the main wing spar. They added that the fuselage, empennage, and tail structure sustained structural damage.