# NTSB CHI93LA306: Ercoupe 415-C, N2663H, Liberty, MO, July 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1993, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, MO
- Coordinates: 39.2397, -94.409133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2397&lon=-94.4091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA306

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING.  A FACTOR IS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT AFTER THE PILOT PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED WITH AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.  THE PILOT REPORTED ENGINE RUNUPS REVEALED NO ABNORMAL INDICATIONS.  HE STATED: 'AT 100-150 FEET AGL I FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING POWER...NOT ENOUGH RUNWAY TO LAND...WING WAS DIPPING.'  THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN A SOYBEAN FIELD. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION AND ENGINE RUNUP REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT ANOMALY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2663H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2663H), registered now, S/N 3288 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3288
- Airframe hours: 2397
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Collins, Robert D.
- Registered owner: Collins, Robert D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1993, 40 hours before
- Airport: MO10, Liberty/Roosterville Apt, runway 18, 2,750 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,125 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCI, 10 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 19930729026469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930729026469A), Jul 29, 1993: Univar 415C, Liberty, MO, Substantial damage. Believed power loss. Landed in soybeans in a side slip. Collapsed nose gear and damaged wing. Cause unknown.

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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