# NTSB DEN90LA137: Ercoupe 415C, N94351, Truth/Consequen, NM, June 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1990, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Truth/Consequen, NM
- Coordinates: 33.129325, -107.239646 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1293&lon=-107.2396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA137

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED AND OBTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF.

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE PILOT LIFTED OFF AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, PULLED THE PLANE UP STEEPLY UNTIL THE AIRSPEED BLED OFF, PUSHED THE NOSE OVER TO REGAIN AIRSPEED AND REPEATED THIS MANEUVER TWICE MORE BEFORE THE PLANE REACHED THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PASSENGER SAID THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND ON THE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND REDUCED POWER, BUT HAD TO ADD POWER AGAIN TO CLEAR A FENCE. THE PILOT THEN REDUCED POWER, ASKED THE PASSENGER TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL, AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE MESQUITE BRUSH, DAMAGING THE NOSE GEAR, ENGINE MOUNTS, AND BOTH WINGS, SUBSTANTIALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94351](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94351), registered now, S/N 1574, 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: 1574
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Schultz
- Departed: TCS
- Airport: TCS, Truth Or Consequences, runway 31, 5,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 499 total, 2 in this make and model, 406 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900616020859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900616020859A), Jun 16, 1990: Univar 415C, Truth Or Conseq, NM, Substantial damage. Lifted off too early. Varied climb angle to near stall, aborted, ran off end. Powered over a fence,landed in bushes

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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