# NTSB DEN83LA117: Aircoupe 415-C, N3726H, Big Piney, WY, May 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1983, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Big Piney, WY
- Coordinates: 42.539459, -110.109542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5395&lon=-110.1095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA117

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, takeoff - initial climb
- Nose over, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, HE HELD THE ELEVATOR FULL BACK DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL UNTIL THE ACFT WAS 50 FT AGL, AND THEN ONLY RELEASED IT SLIGHTLY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AIRSPEED WAS 47 MPH AT 50 FT AND ABOUT 57 MPH AT 70 FT. THEN THE ACFT NOSE FELL AND THE ACFT STARTED TO SINK RAPIDLY. THE PILOT THEN TRIED TO PICK UP AIRSPEED AND RECOVER BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SETTLE. JUST BEFORE GROUND IMPACT THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED BACK ELEVATOR WITH NO RESPONSE. THE ACFT HIT ON THE NOSE GEAR, BOUNCED AND NOSED OVER AS IT LEFT THE RWY. THE BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB AIRSPEED (VX) IS 70 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3726H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3726H), registered now, S/N 4351 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRCOUPE 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: 4351
- Airframe hours: 1529
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C75-12F 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Rowley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1982, 50 hours before
- Airport: BPI, Big Piney, runway 31, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 67 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BPI

## 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 19830522020419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830522020419A), May 22, 1983: Univar 415C, Big Piney, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting short field takeoff and stalled aircraft about 25 feet above runway.

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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