# NTSB CEN10CA094: Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-CD, N94670, New London, WI, January 10, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 10, 2010, 12:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: New London, WI - Coordinates: 44.385555, -88.851112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3856&lon=-88.8511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-MKE-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75257 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75257/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75257 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land with a tailwind on the snow- and ice-covered runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0420314), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=0420314), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=0420314), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0420314), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0420314), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0420314), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0420314), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the accident occurred when the flight was returning to the airport after a local flight. He stated that he checked the windsock and it showed that the winds were favoring runway 18, but he decided to land on runway 36. The grass runway was covered with snow and ice. The pilot stated that he was unable to slow the airplane down during the landing roll and the airplane nosed over after contacting a snowbank at the end of the runway. The pilot stated that only half the length of the runway was plowed. He chose runway 36 so he would not have to turn around and back taxi on the runway to get to the hangar, which was at the north end of the airport. The airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported the accident occurred when returning to the airport after a local flight. He stated he checked the windsock and it showed that the winds were favoring runway 18, but he decided to land on runway 36. The grass runway was covered with snow and ice. The pilot stated that he was unable to slow the airplane down during the landing roll. The airplane nosed over after contacting a snowbank at the end of the runway. The pilot stated they used a cell phone to call for help and the airplane had to be lifted in order for them to get out of it. The pilot stated that only half the length of the runway was plowed. He chose runway 36 so he would not have to turn around and back taxi on the runway to get to the hangar which was at the north end of the airport. The airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94670](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94670), registered now, S/N 4781, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415-CD - Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-cd) (registry code 0420314) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4781 - Airframe hours: 2004 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C-85-12F 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Van Kampen Anthony J - Registered owner: Van Kampen Anthony J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2009, 40 hours before - Departed: 38WI, New London, WI - Destination: 38WI, New London, WI - Airport: 38WI, Northport Airport, runway 36, 2,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 848 total, 390 in this make and model, 848 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: OSH, 22 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 20100110025959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100110025959A), Jan 10, 2010: Engineering ERCOUPE 415, New London, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot did not obtain preflight wx brief. Windsock very worn & giving inaccurate readings. Winds were approximately 12-14 knots from 210 degrees but the worn… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75257. 772 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 772 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.