# NTSB ATL91LA056: Ercoupe 415C, N3353H, Gastonia, NC, February 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1991, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Gastonia, NC
- Location: 35.2621° N, 81.1873° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gastonia, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2621&lon=-81.1873&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA056

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO RECOVER FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN ON A LOCAL, PERSONAL FLIGHT.  HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED ON THE NORTHEAST RUNWAY.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER HE HAD MADE A SMOOTH TWO-POINT LANDING, A GUST OF WIND PICKED UP THE AIRPLANE AND DROPPED IT HARD ON THE RUNWAY.  AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE PILOT STATED TO HIM THAT HE LANDED HARD, BOUNCED, AND HIT AGAIN ON THE NOSE GEAR.  THE CLOSEST WEATHER REPORTING FACILITY WAS 10 MILES EAST AND REPORTED THE WINDS AS 290 DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS, WHICH RESULTED IN A 13-KNOT CROSSWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3353H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3353H), registered now, S/N 3978, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- 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: 148537
- Airframe hours: 2304
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Haigler, Gragel L.
- Registered owner: Haigler, Gragel L.
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1991, 10 hours before
- Airport: 0A6, Gastonia Municipal, runway 3, 3,506 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 10 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 19910209002479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910209002479A), Feb 9, 1991: Univar 415C, Gastonia, NC, Substantial damage. Landed in gusty quartering tailwind. Gust lifted aircraft on touchdown. Came down nose low collapsing nose gear.

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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