# NTSB CHI82FA326: Ercoupe 415-C, N2928H, Athens, MI, August 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1982, 20:12 local (Aug 24, 1982, 00:12 UTC)
- Place: Athens, MI
- Coordinates: 42.080242, -85.229446 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0802&lon=-85.2294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA326
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA326

## 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 - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDING ON RWY 27 WHICH HAS A 350 FT DISPLACED THRESHOLD DUE TO 24 FT HIGH POWER LINES ON THE APPROACH. A WITNESS STATED THE PLT WAS LOW & NARROWLY MISSED THE WIRES ON THE FIRST TOUCH & GO. DURING THE SECOND APPROACH THE PLT WAS NOTICEABLY LOWER & IT WAS OBVIOUS HE WAS GOING TO HIT THE WIRES. THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO MISS THE WIRES, NO POWER INCREASE & THE ACFT DID NOT PULL UP OR TAKE ANY EVASIVE MANEUVER. THE LANDING WAS BEING EXECUTED INTO THE SETTING SUN. THE PLT HAD LANDED AT THE PRIVATE FIELD ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2928H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415-C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3553
- Airframe hours: 3300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harvey K. Palmer
- Registered owner: Harvey K. Palmer
- Departed: C, BATTLE CREEK, MI
- Destination: C, BATTLE CREEK, MI
- Airport: 9C2, David'S Strip, runway 27, 3,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 293 total, 131 in this make and model, 254 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 165 °F

## 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 19820823040639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820823040639A), Aug 23, 1982: Univar 415C, Athens, MI, Destroyed. Struck wires on third approach to land. Hit ground 356 feet short of displaced threshold. Wires not marked.

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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