# NTSB CHI98LA248: Forney 415-C, N99294, Laurie, MO, July 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1998, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Laurie, MO - Location: 38.2080° N, 92.8254° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Laurie, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2080&lon=-92.8254&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA248 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10958/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA248 ## Probable cause the jammed aileron and elevator controls for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - flight control,aileron - jammed (contributing factor) - flight control,elevator - jammed (contributing factor) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said that during a left turn to the crosswind leg during climb from takeoff, the aileron and elevator controls became jammed. He said he was unable to regain control prior to impact with trees and the terrain. He said after the airplane came to rest a post-impact fire ignited. An examination of the wreckage after the accident failed to reveal the nature of the jammed controls. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1998, at 1600 central daylight time, a Forney 415-C, N99294, was destroyed on impact with trees and the terrain, and a post accident fire, about 3 miles southwest of Laurie, Missouri. The pilot and one passenger received serious injuries. A witness saw the airplane making a steep turn prior to disappearing below the trees. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was originated from a private airstrip near Laurie, Missouri, at the time of the accident. The pilot said in a written statement, "... climbed to approximately 1700' mean sea level, made left turn to crosswind leg. While in left bank tried to level wings and found both aileron and elevator jammed." He further stated that he was unable to regain control of the airplane and it conti8nued in a descending left bank until impact. A post impact fire then ignited. A examination of the wreckage after the accident failed to reveal the nature of the jammed controls. One wing and a portion of the tail were not consumed by fire. An examination of the engine was negative for anomalies and is attached to this report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99294](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99294-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 1917, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Forney 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: 1917 - Airframe hours: 1990 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Phyllis L. Carter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 1997, 25 hours before - Departed: NONE, LAURIE, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 22,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AIZ, 15 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 19980712016579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980712016579A), Jul 12, 1998: Univar 415C, Laurie, MO, Destroyed. (-23) A witness stated that he observed the accident airplane flying very low and performing steep turns and banks in the general area of the crash site. The… 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.