# NTSB BFO92LA067: Ercoupe 415C, N93426, Vine Grove, KY, May 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1992, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Vine Grove, KY
- Coordinates: 37.809829, -85.970764 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8098&lon=-85.9708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA067

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE WIND GUSTS AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS TAXIING TO THE WEST, AND THAT HE TURNED TO THE LEFT TOWARD THE PARKING AREA WHEN A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THAT HE TRIED TO CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT BY USING THE THROTTLE, AILERON AND RUDDER, BUT ALL WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE PILOT ALSO INDICATED THERE WERE WIND GUSTS FROM THE NORTH AT 20 KNOTS.  THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND SLID INTO ANOTHER PARKED AIRCRAFT ABOUT 300 FEET FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93426](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93426-1992-07-17), registration cancelled 1992-07-17, S/N 749 (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: 749
- Airframe hours: 2066
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Anderson
- Registered owner: John Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1991, 27 hours before
- Departed: KY70, KY
- Destination: KY70, KY
- Airport: KY70, Vine Grove, runway 27, 2,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 17 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920517015119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920517015119A), May 17, 1992: Univar 415C, Vine Grove, KY, Substantial damage. Reported wind gust picked up wing while taxiing to park and pushed Ercoupe into parked Mooney.

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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