# NTSB DEN87LA078: Ercoupe 415C, N114PA, Englewood, CO, April 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1987, 09:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.610942, -104.880615 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6109&lon=-104.8806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT SAID THE ACFT BALLOONED DURING THE FLARE AND HE APPLIED FORWARD STICK. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN NOSE WHEEL FIRST AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ACFT THEN SETTLED HARD ON MAIN GEAR RESULTING IN ADDITIONAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N114PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N114PA-2011-01-12), registration cancelled 2011-01-12, S/N 3451, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- 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: 3451
- Airframe hours: 1653
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul C. Andes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1986
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 35L, 7,000 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA

## 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 19870401008099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870401008099A), Apr 1, 1987: Univar 415C, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. The aircraft ballooned and landed hard on the nose gear. Student pilot.

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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