# NTSB CHI07CA293: Ercoupe Ercoupe 415C, N93783, Middletown, OH, August 31, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 31, 2007, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Middletown, OH - Coordinates: 39.530834, -84.395278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5308&lon=-84.3953&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cincinnati FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66815 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66815/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA293 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare and his inadequate recovery from the bounced landing. A contributing factor was the lower than normal airspeed maintained during the final approach. ## 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) - airspeed - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot landed hard on runway 5 (6,100 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) while practicing landings in preparation for a sport pilot practical test. He had conducted 3 landings prior to the accident. The pilot noted that he was flying the accident approach at 60 miles-per-hour (mph), instead of his normal approach speed of 70 mph. He recalled winds being from 300 degrees at 8 -10 knots. The pilot stated that as he entered the landing flare, the airplane was right of the runway centerline, at a "very slow" airspeed. He reported that he "put [the] nose down to pick up airspeed and added a little (too little) power." The airplane landed on the nose wheel and bounced. He added power but the airplane hit a second time. The airplane subsequently came to a stop and he taxied to the ramp. The post accident inspection revealed that the nose wheel had fractured and the firewall was damaged. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The airplane was substantially damaged during a hard landing on runway 5 (6,100 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). The pilot reported that he was practicing landings in preparation for a sport pilot practical test. He had conducted 3 landings prior to the accident. The pilot noted that he was flying the accident approach at 60 miles-per-hour (mph), instead of his normal approach speed of 70 mph. He recalled winds being from 300 degrees at 8 -10 knots. The pilot stated that as he entered the landing flare, the airplane was right of the runway centerline, at a "very slow" airspeed. He reported that he "put [the] nose down to pick up airspeed and added a little (too little) power." The airplane landed on the nose wheel and bounced. He added power but the airplane hit a second time. The airplane subsequently came to a stop and he taxied to the ramp. The post accident inspection revealed that the nose wheel had fractured and the firewall was damaged. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93783](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93783-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N 1106, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) Ercoupe 415C - Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1106 - Airframe hours: 1610.3 - Engines: Teledyne Continental C-85-12 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Utmd, LLC - Registered owner: Ut Md, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007 - Departed: MWO, Middletown, OH - Airport: MWO, Hook Field Muni, runway 5, 6,100 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 60; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 1, 2007; flight hours: 190 total, 36 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: MWO ## 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 20070831823939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070831823939A), Aug 31, 2007: Univar 415C, Middletown, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 31, 2007, at 1230 EDT, a Ercoupe 415-C, N93783, registered to the pilot [privacy data omitted] made a hard landing on the nose gear at… ## Other investigations on N93783 (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 MIA72DLD44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72DLD44), Feb 6, 1972: Erco 415-C (N93783), Chuluota, FL, substantial damage 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.