# NTSB CEN11CA191: Ercoupe 415-CD, N127G, Newaygo, MI, January 30, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 30, 2011, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Newaygo, MI
- Coordinates: 43.380554, -85.778053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3806&lon=-85.7781&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Grand Rapids FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78355/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78355
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA191

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff from a frozen lake.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0420324), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=0420324), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0420324), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-CD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0420324), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-CD, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0420324), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was departing a plowed "airstrip" on an ice-covered lake. During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left and the left wheel hit a snowbank on the left side of the airstrip. The airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported that the airplane experienced no mechanical malfunction or failure prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was departing a plowed "airstrip" on an ice covered lake. During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left and the left wheel hit a snow bank on the left side of the airstrip. The airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N127G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N127G), registered now, S/N 4795, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415-CD
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-cd) (registry code 0420324) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4795
- Airframe hours: 2515
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Buttermore Dale D
- Registered owner: Buttermore Dale D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2010
- Departed: Newaygo, MI
- Destination: 08C, Jenison, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 932 total, 679 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observed at: GRR

## 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 20110130001849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110130001849A), Jan 30, 2011: Ercoupe 415-CD, Hess Lake, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was at a local fly - in on a frozen lake ( Hess Lake)that had a snow plowed runway. While taking off his left wing tip contacted a…

## Other investigations on N127G (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI99LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA210), Jul 4, 1999: Ercoupe 415-CD (N127G), Jacksonville, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A material defect in the sloshing compound. Factors were the blocked fuel system, inspection not identifying material defect, and the crop field.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78355. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.

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