# NTSB CHI04LA008: Ercoupe 415-D, N3848H, Harvard, IL, October 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 2003, 19:45 local (Oct 10, 2003, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Harvard, IL - Coordinates: 42.404167, -88.633613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4042&lon=-88.6336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 58144 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58144/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA008 ## Probable cause The pilot misjudged his altitude and distance from the approach end of the airstrip, along with his decision to land at an unlit airstrip at night. Factors involved in the accident were the the night lighting conditions, the unlit airstrip, and the corn crop which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - light condition - night (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not installed (contributing factor) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane contacted a corn crop while attempting to land on an unlit grass airstrip at night. The pilot stated that he was making a low approach over the unlit airstrip to determine if he was able to see it well enough to land. He stated that if he was unable to see well enough, he had planned to fly to a nearby airport. He stated the field elevation at the airstrip is 1,000 feet and he set his altimeter after listening to the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) of a airport which was approximately 28 statue miles away. He stated that once on final approach, he was able to see the lights from the open hangar at the far end of the airstrip. He reported he descended in the general direction of the runway threshold using a flashlight in the cockpit to view the altimeter. The pilot reported he was next aware of the sound of corn stalks hitting the airplane. The airplane then impacted the ground and turned to the right with the nose gear collapsing. The airplane contacted the corn stalks approximately two-tenths of a mile from the end of the runway. The pilot reported, "I would say I failed to monitor the rate of sink for the fly-by/approach and the situation was due to pilot error." ## Factual narrative On October 9, 2003, at 1945 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-D, N3848H, operated by a private pilot, collided with a corn crop while attempting to land on runway 18 at a private airstrip (2,650 feet by 120 feet, grass) in Harvard, Illinois. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Palwaukee Municipal Airport (PWK), Wheeling, Illinois, at 1900. The pilot stated that he was making a low approach over the unlit airstrip to determine if he was able to see it well enough to land. He stated that if he was unable to see well enough, he had planned to fly to nearby Dacy Airport (0C0). He stated the field elevation at the airstrip is 1,000 feet. The pilot reported that he set his altimeter after listening to the Greater Rockford Airport (RFD) Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS). RFD is located approximately 28 statue miles from the accident site. He stated that once on final approach, he was able to see the lights from the open hangar at the far end of the airstrip. He reported he descended in the general direction of the runway threshold using a flashlight in the cockpit to view the altimeter. The pilot reported he was next aware of the sound of corn stalks hitting the airplane. The airplane then impacted the ground and turned to the right with the nose gear collapsing. The airplane contacted the corn stalks approximately two-tenths of a mile from the end of the runway. The pilot reported, "I would say I failed to monitor the rate of sink for the fly-by/approach and the situation was due to pilot error." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3848H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3848H-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 4549, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-d) (registry code 0420326) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4549 - Airframe hours: 1750 - Engines: Continental C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas N. Chapman - Registered owner: George T. York - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2002, 80 hours before - Departed: PWK, Wheeling, IL - Destination: PVT, Harvard, IL - Airport: Pvt, runway 18, 2,650 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 21, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 156 total, 63 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: RFD, 28 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 20031009029169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031009029169A), Oct 9, 2003: Univar 415D, Harvard, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was attempting to land at night at an unlighted, privately-owned landing area. He believed that he was established on a satisfactory approach angle… 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.