# NTSB CHI84LA206: Ercoupe 415C, N93939, Sturtevant, WI, May 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1984, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Sturtevant, WI
- Location: 42.7032° N, 87.9590° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SYLVANIA (C89), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7032&lon=-87.9590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA206

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - flt control syst,rudder control - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS MAKING A HI SPEED TAXI CHECK WHEN THE ACFT LIFTED OFF TO ABOUT 5 FT AGL. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT BEGAN TO GO TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE PLT APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER, THE PLANE VEERED FURTHER LEFT & CRASHED IN AN ONION FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE FLT CONTROLS REVEALED THAT THE RUDDER CONTROL CABLES HAD BEEN CROSS RIGGED AFTER THEY HAD BEEN REMOVED & REINSTALLED DURING MAINTENANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93939](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93939), registered now, S/N 1262, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1262
- Airframe hours: 1838
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clarence Bonnette
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1984, 0 hours before
- Departed: C89
- Airport: C89, Sylvania, runway 26R, 2,340 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,955 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 20 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 19840527019269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840527019269A), May 27, 1984: Univar 415C, Sturtevant, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot unable to correct drift after inadvertent takeoff. Left runway, flipped over. Rudder controls were reversed.

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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