# NTSB ATL90LA121: Ercoupe Ercoupe 415-C, N3261H, Pineora, GA, May 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1990, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Pineora, GA
- Coordinates: 32.359821, -81.299636 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3598&lon=-81.2996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8242
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8242/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA121

## Probable cause

CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE PASSENGER WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS RETARDED AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INTERVENE BECAUSE OF HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
  - throttle/power control - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKE OFF, AT ABOUT 50 FEET, THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY RETARDED THE THROTTLE. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING PICTURES WITH A CAMCORDER. WHILE THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED THE AIRPLANE LOST AIRSPEED, DESCENDED, AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AND UNDERBRUSH AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3261H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3261H-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 3886, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-C (ERCOUPE 41)
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3886
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Becton
- Airport: NONE, Helmeys Airstrip, runway 36, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 2,300 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 14 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 19900526017519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900526017519A), May 26, 1990: Univar 415C, Pineora, GA, Substantial damage. Began using camcorder right after liftoff. Passenger inadverently closed throttle. Was unable to clear trees.

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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