# NTSB CHI92LA144: Ercoupe 415-E, N99819, Berlin, WI, May 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1992, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, WI
- Coordinates: 43.970333, -88.950454 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9703&lon=-88.9505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15440/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA144

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.

## 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)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 09 IN A GUSTY CROSSWIND ESTIMATED AT 15 KNOTS FROM 170 DEGREES. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99819](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99819-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 2442, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-E
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-E](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-e) (registry code 0420328) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2442
- Airframe hours: 1942
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Morris, Richard C.
- Registered owner: Morris, Richard C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1991, 47 hours before
- Departed: 45C
- Destination: RFD, ROCKFORD, IL
- Airport: 45C, Berlin Field, runway 9, 1,860 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 62 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 22 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 19920510013979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920510013979A), May 10, 1992: Univar 415E, Berlin, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of aircraft on takeoff roll. Veered off runway and struck a tree. No mechanical problems found.

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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