# NTSB CHI91DEM01: Ercoupe 415C, N9409B, Shelby, MI, November 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1990, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Shelby, MI
- Coordinates: 43.610378, -86.350143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6104&lon=-86.3501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEM01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO IMC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - light condition - dusk
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT DEPARTED ON A SHORT VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO HIS HOME AIRPORT. THE AREA AROUND HIS HOME AIRPORT WAS FOGGED IN. VISIBILITY WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 3/4 OF A MILE WITH A CEILING VARYING FROM TREE TOP LEVEL TO 700 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THEY HEARD THE AIRPLANE FLYING AROUND THE AREA FOR 15 TO 30 MINUTES. THEY STATED IT WAS MAKING SOUNDS LIKE A 'CROP DUSTER'. TWO WITNESSES BRIEFLY SAW THE AIRPLANE COME OUT OF, AND RE-ENTER, THE LOW CLOUDS. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED COMING OUT OF THE CLOUDS, BANKING STEEPLY DURING A PULLUP MANEUVER AND STALLING. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AT A STEEP ANGLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9409B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9409B-1991-06-05), registration cancelled 1991-06-05, S/N 1421 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1421
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elmer N. Hall
- Registered owner: Elmer N Hall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1990
- Departed: MKG, MUSKEGON, MI
- Destination: C04, SHELBY, MI
- Airport: C04, Oceana County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk

## 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 19901103048529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901103048529A), Nov 3, 1990: Univar 415C, Hart/Shelby, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control,stalled,crashed and burned.

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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