# NTSB CHI96LA337: Ercoupe 415-C, N94196, Wausau, WI, August 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1996, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Wausau, WI - Coordinates: 45.019344, -89.530342 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0193&lon=-89.5303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10389 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA337 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10389/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA337 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, and his misjudgment of distance and speed, while attempting to minimize the effect of crossing an uneven area on the runway. The uneven runway condition was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot landed at a private turf airstrip, which was 1,800 feet long and had a 'gentle ravine' crossing perpendicular in the middle of the strip. During the landing, the pilot was not able to stop the airplane before reaching the ravine, so he added power to 'float' over the ravine. He then completed a successfull landing on the other side of the ravine. Later, he took off on a second flight to fly locally. During the second landing, the pilot again was unable to stop before reaching the ravine. Again, he applied power in an attempt to fly over the ravine. However, this time, he did not get sufficient airspeed to become airborne, and the airplane was damaged as it crossed the ravine. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1996, at 1000 central daylight time (cdt), an Ercoupe 415-C, N94196, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a ravine while landing on a private airstrip. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file for the local flight. The flight originated from Kurt Farm Airstrip, Wausau, Wisconsin, exact time unknown. According to the pilots written statement, he was flying into a private airstrip where a North Central Wisconsin Steam and Gas Engine Antique Show was being held on the north side of the airstrip. He described the airstrip as being orientated north to south approximately 1,800 feet long with a gentle ravine which crossed perpendicular at the middle of the airstrip. The first landing was made to the north direction, even with the winds observed to be out of the southwest direction. The reason the pilot chose to land in that direction was because of the Antique show on the north end of the airstrip. Upon landing on the airstrip, the pilot realized that he could not stop in time before the ravine and gave the engine some power to float over the ravine. He landed on the other side and parked his airplane. The pilot took a passenger up flying to see and photograph the show from the air. On the second landing, he decided to land towards the south direction, thinking the headwind will stop the airplane before reaching the ravine. Upon landing the second time, the pilot stated, "...locked the brakes to stop quicker. We kept sliding on the vegetation, not slowing down much, going slightly downhill towards the [ravine]. When we were about 100' from the [ravine][pilot] gave the engine power to float over the [ravine] again, but did not have enough airspeed to get airborne. We entered the [ravine] at about 15 MPH, went down the slope and up the other side. When the nosewheel went up the back slope of the [ravine][pilot] felt the tail of the airplane impact the ground." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94196](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94196), registered now, S/N 1519, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C - Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-d) (registry code 0420316) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1519 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sydney B. Cohen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1996, 40 hours before - Airport: Kurt Umnus Farm (Private), runway 18, 1,800 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,094 total, 1,084 in this make and model, 987 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 8 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19960825025809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960825025809A), Aug 25, 1996: Univar 415C, Wausau, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck a ditch that extended into the runway. (-23) see narrative #CHI96LA337 ## Other investigations on N94196 (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 CHI66F0475](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0475-201522), Dec 16, 1965: Ercoupe 415-C (N94196), Stevens Pt, WI, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.