# NTSB CHI02LA230: Ercoupe G, N94431, Palmyra, WI, August 3, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 2002, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Palmyra, WI - Coordinates: 42.883335, -88.597503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8833&lon=-88.5975&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55441 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55441/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA230 ## Probable cause Failure by the pilot-in-command to properly compensate for the wind conditions, as well as an improper landing flare. Contibuting factors were the inadequate supervision by the flight instructor and the wind gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a practice power-off approach as part of a flight review. The approach was initiated "abeam the numbers" on downwind (in the traffic pattern). The pilot reported that as the airplane was about to enter the landing flare, at an altitude of approximately 6 feet agl, "the aircraft quit flying totally." The resulting hard landing caused the nose gear to collapse and the aircraft skidded to a stop on the runway. The pilot and flight instructor reported winds of 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 2002, at 1050 central daylight time, an Ercoupe Model G, N94431, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing on runway 9 (2,150ft x 200ft, turf) at the Palmyra Municipal Airport (88C), Palmyra, Wisconsin. The flight originated from the East Troy Municipal Airport (57C), East Troy, Wisconsin, at 1010 cdt and intended to return there after practicing takeoffs and landings at Palmyra. The pilot, with a certified flight instructor on board, was intending to complete a biennial flight review. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and flight instructor did not report any injuries. As part of a flight review, the pilot initiated a power-off approach from "abeam the numbers" on downwind in the traffic pattern. On short final, at an altitude of approximately 6 feet agl, the pilot noted that "the aircraft quit flying and skidded to a stop." The flight instructor on-board, in his written statement, reported "without warning or any indication, the aircraft quit flying totally." The resulting hard landing collapsed the nose gear. The pilot and flight instructor's statements indicated that no stall warning system was installed in the aircraft. They also reported no malfunctions or failures associated with the airplane or engine prior to the accident. Weather conditions at the scene, as reported by the pilot and flight instructor, were clear skies and 8 miles visibility. They noted winds from 100 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The Rock County Airport (JVL) AWOS, 24 miles to the southwest, reported at 1045 cdt, clear skies, 10 miles visibility and winds from 110 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94431](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94431), registered now, S/N 5077, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) G - Registry model: [Ercoupe G](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-g) (registry code 0420722) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5077 - Airframe hours: 2794 - Engines: Continental C85 Series 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 2002, 1 hours before - Departed: 57C, East Troy, WI - Airport: 88C, Palmyra Municipal, runway 9, 2,150 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 311 total, 173 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 67; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 23, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 16,429 total, 8 in this make and model, 15,166 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: JVL, 25 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 20020803038169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020803038169A), Aug 3, 2002: Univar 415G, Palmyra, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 3, 2002, at 1050 CDT, Ercoupe 415B, N94431, was on approach to rwy 09, Palmyra Municipal Airport, WI (88C) with a pilot and instructor onboard… 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.