# NTSB ATL88LA093: Ercoupe 415C, N3631H, Spartanburg, SC, February 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1988, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Spartanburg, SC
- Coordinates: 34.930896, -82.009735 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9309&lon=-82.0097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper assistance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHEN THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO FIND ASSISTANCE TO REMOVE THE NOSE WHEEL CHOCK FROM THE AIRCRAFT, HE APPLIED ENOUGH POWER TO JUMP THE CHOCK. HE WAS UNABLE TO RETARD THE THROTTLE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A PARKED AIRCRAFT AND STRIKING A CONCRETE WALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3631H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3631H-1988-07-01), registration cancelled 1988-07-01, S/N 4256 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4256
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tom Gibbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1988
- Destination: EHO, SHELBY, NC
- Airport: Spartanburg Mem.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 19,000 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880217004909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880217004909A), Feb 17, 1988: Univar 415C, Spartanburg, SC, Substantial damage. Applied excessive power to jump a chock after a low battery start. Aircraft hit a parked aircraft and concrete wall

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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