# NTSB CHI83FA440: Ercoupe 415-C, N3184, Raymond, IL, September 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1983, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Raymond, IL
- Coordinates: 39.320186, -89.569808 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3202&lon=-89.5698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA440
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA440

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - flight/nav instruments - inadequate
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - object - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A WX BRIEFING AT 1433 CDT, THE PLT WAS ADVISED TO EXPECT 500 FT CEILINGS, 2 MI VISIBILITIES, RAIN SHOWERS & THUNDERSTORMS. HE THEN TOOK OFF FROM BISMARK, MO WITH NO FLT PLAN. REPORTEDLY, WX WAS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FLT WHICH DETERIORATED AS HE PROCEEDED ALONG THE ROUTE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED INVERTED, IN A CORN FIELD NEAR RAYMOND, IL. A WITNESS SAID THAT HE SAW THE ACFT 'GOING OR SPINNING STRAIGHT DOWN; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT SEE THE ACTUAL CRASH. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE THE OUTER 4-FT SECTION OF THE LEFT WING & THE LEFT AILERON HAD SEPARATED IN FLT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THEY HAD SEPARATED UPWARD & AFT, NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE OR CORROSION WAS FOUND IN THE FRACTURE AREA. THE RIGHT WING TIP HAD ALSO FAILED, BUT IT HAD NOT SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. AN NTSB WX SUMMARY SHOWED THAT THE CLOUD BASES WERE AT APPX 700 FT AGL & THE CLOUD TOPS WERE AT ABOUT 14,000 FT MSL. ABOUT 50 MI NORTHEAST AT DECATUR, IL, THERE WAS A 2000 FT OVERCAST. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CERTIFIED TURN & BANK OR ATTITUDE INDICATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3184 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3809
- Airframe hours: 1343
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Budd L. Wilkinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1983, 331 hours before
- Departed: BISMARK, MO
- Destination: LINCOLN, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 23° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC

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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