# NTSB CHI84LA207: Ercoupe 415, N2622H, Plainwell, MI, May 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1984, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Plainwell, MI
- Coordinates: 42.440052, -85.640396 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4401&lon=-85.6404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12624
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12624/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA207

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF A GRASS STRIP INTO TALLER GRASS WHICH INCREASED THE DRAG ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE ACFT SWERVED FARTHER OFF PATH UNTIL A FURROW WAS STRUCK AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. LOCAL WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 150 DEGREES AT 8 KTS. THE PLTS LAST BFR WAS 49 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2622H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2622H-1995-12-07), registration cancelled 1995-12-07, S/N 3247 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415
- Registry model: [Forney 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/forney-415-c) (registry code 0420332) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2347
- Airframe hours: 2401
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: K.J. Digby
- Registered owner: Larry G. Digby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1993, 37 hours before
- Airport: Rla, runway 9, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 190 total, 80 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 15 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 19840527018999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840527018999A), May 27, 1984: Univar 415C, Plainwell, MI, Substantial damage. Wing caught in high vegetation along side of runway causing aircraft to pull off runway and flip inverted.

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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