# NTSB CEN09CA302: Ercoupe 415-C, N94300, Gallup, NM, May 16, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 16, 2009, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Coordinates: 35.511112, -108.789169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5111&lon=-108.7892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administraton
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73858/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73858
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA302

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot and passenger departed in a single-engine, 85-horsepower airplane from an airport with a density altitude that was later calculated to be about 8,666 feet. When the airplane was approximately 300 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a loss of lift. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot selected a dirt road as a possible landing site; however, the airplane impacted terrain before reaching the road. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the engine revealed no pre impact anomalies.

## Factual narrative

The pilot and passenger departed in an 85-horsepower, single-engine airplane from an airport with a density altitude that was later calculated to be about 8,666 feet. When the airplane was approximately 300 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a loss of lift. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot selected a dirt road as a possible landing site; however, the airplane impacted terrain before reaching the road. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the engine revealed no preimpact anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94300](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94300-2012-07-25), registration cancelled 2012-07-25, S/N 1523, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1523
- Airframe hours: 2265
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith Curtis S
- Registered owner: Smith Curtis S
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2008
- Departed: GUP, Gallup, NM
- Destination: GUP, Gallup, NM
- Airport: GUP, Gallup Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 145 total, 73 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: GUP, 1 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 20090516008679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090516008679A), May 16, 2009: Univar 415C, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 16, 2009 at approximately 1155 MDT, N94300, an Ercoupe, 415C, registered to the pilot was taking off runway 6 at Gallup, NM airport (gup) for a…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73858. 10.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Digital Photo 1, Wreckage front view (item 2, .PDF, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%201,%20Wreckage%20front%20view-Master.PDF

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.