# NTSB DEN89LA151: Ercoupe 415C, N3246H, Ennis, MT, July 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1989, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Ennis, MT
- Coordinates: 45.279647, -111.710159 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2796&lon=-111.7102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA151

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

THE PLT & A PASSENGER WERE FLYING IN A SPOT LANDING CONTEST. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT STALLED ON FINAL APCH & FELL APRX 50 FT IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.  DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, THEN THE PLANE CARTWHEELED & CAME TO REST WITH DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING, PROPELLER, FUSELAGE & RUDDER.  THE PLT SAID HE SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO THE AIRSPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3246H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3246H-1991-03-19), registration cancelled 1991-03-19, S/N 3871 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3871
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Walter, J
- Departed: 5U3
- Destination: 5U3
- Airport: 5U3, Big Sky, runway 16, 5,280 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 263 total, 247 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890702018909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890702018909A), Jul 2, 1989: Univar 415C, Ennis, MT, Substantial damage. Stalled on final and crash landed during a spot landing contest.

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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