# NTSB CHI03LA139: Ercoupe 415E, N94779, Manvel, ND, May 29, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 2003, 20:45 local (May 29, 2003, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Manvel, ND
- Coordinates: 48.073612, -97.186111
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0736&lon=-97.1861&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA- Fargo FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA139

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.  A factor contributing to the accident was the collapse of the nose landing gear strut.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, descent - uncontrolled
  - landing gear,nose gear strut - collapsed (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane sustained substantial damage when its nose gear collapsed following a hard landing.  The pilot reported the airplane touched down very hard and bounced.  The pilot attempted to land the airplane, but the left wingtip and the nose landing gear impacted the terrain first.  The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop.

## Factual narrative

On May 28, 2003, at 2045 central daylight time, an Ercoupe Model 415E, N94779, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it experienced a nose gear collapse while landing at the Heyde Airport (8ND4), Manvel, North Dakota.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The local flight originated from the Heyde Airport, at 2015.

The pilot reported the airplane touched down "very hard" and bounced.  The pilot stated he attempted to land the airplane again, but the nose landing gear and the left wingtip impacted the terrain first.  The pilot noted the impact collapsed the nose landing gear and the airplane skidded to a stop.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94779](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94779), registered now, S/N 4890 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415E
- Registry model: [Ercoupe E](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-e) (registry code 0420504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4890
- Airframe hours: 1661
- Engines: Continental C-90-14F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2002, 30 hours before
- Departed: 8ND4, Manvel, ND
- Destination: 8ND4, Manvel, ND
- Airport: 8ND4, Heyde Airport, runway 35, 2,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 27 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KGFK, 7 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 20030528011039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030528011039A), May 28, 2003: Univar E, Manvel, ND, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 28, 2003 at approximately 2045 local time a Ercoupe owned by Mr. Dean woidtke made a hard landing on the sod runway and nosed over, causing…

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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