# NTSB CHI08CA233: Ercoupe 415-C, N93963, Cedarburg, WI, August 2, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 2, 2008, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Cedarburg, WI
- Coordinates: 43.329166, -87.997222
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3292&lon=-87.9972&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Milwaukee, WI, FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA233

## Probable cause

The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the tree during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the windshear and the tree.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff the airplane was "struck by wind shear" from its right side. He reported that the airplane "lost perhaps 20' - 30' of altitude" and that he "could not avoid impact with the tree." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff the airplane was "struck by wind shear" from its right side. He reported that the airplane "lost perhaps 20' - 30' of altitude" and that he "could not avoid impact with the tree." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93963](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93963), registered now, S/N 1286, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1286
- Airframe hours: 2564
- Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James B. Brennan
- Registered owner: James B. Brennan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2008
- Departed: 1WN2, Cedarburg, WI
- Destination: BUU, BURLINGTON, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 342 total, 142 in this make and model, 247 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: ETB

## 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 20080802857789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080802857789A), Aug 2, 2008: Ercoup 415C, Cedarburg, WI, Destroyed. On August 2, 2008, about 1225 central daylight time (CDT), and Ercoupe 415C, N93963 struck a tree and impactd the gorund following a loss of control during…

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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