# NTSB CHI96LA311: Ercoupe 415-C, N3607H, Cambridge, IL, August 21, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1996, 20:10 local (Aug 21, 1996, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Cambridge, IL
- Coordinates: 41.299324, -90.190193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2993&lon=-90.1902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA311

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing.  A factor associated with the accident was the downdraft reported by the pilot.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot reported the airplane encountered a downdraft during the landing which caused the airplane to descend to terrain impact.

## Factual narrative

On August 20, 1996, at 2010 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N3607H, operated by a private pilot, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while landing at a private airstrip in Cambridge, Illinois.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight originated from the private airstrip at 1940 cdt.

The pilot stated that during the landing the airplane encountered a downdraft causing it to collide with the terrain.  Winds reported at Moline, Illinois (20 miles northeast of the accident site) were calm.

The pilot has not returned a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 to this office as of the completion of this report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3607H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3607H-2008-12-17), registration cancelled 2008-12-17, S/N 4232, built 1946 (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)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4232
- Engines: Continental AC-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boyd L. Wheatley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: IL50
- Airport: IL50, Boyd Wheatley'S Farm Arpt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,350 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLI, 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 19960820023419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960820023419A), Aug 20, 1996: Univar 415C, Cambridge, IL, Substantial damage. Narrative: aircraft was on final approach when it experienced a down draft from which it didn't recover. There was a premature off runway landing. The aircraft…

## Other investigations on N3607H (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI71FBQ23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBQ23), Oct 26, 1970: Erco 415-C (N3607H), Loda, IL, substantial damage

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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