# NTSB ERA13CA155: Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C, N87172, Newnan, GA, March 5, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 5, 2013, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Newnan, GA - Coordinates: 33.306945, -84.768608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3069&lon=-84.7686&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86358/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86358 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA155 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper visual lookout during taxi operations, which resulted in a collision with a parked airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, after landing the airplane, he taxied it to the general aviation tie-down area on the airport. The pilot stated that he normally taxied the airplane through the open space between the second and third tie-down rows on the ramp but that this space was occupied; therefore, he initiated a 180-degree turn to exit the row for an alternate tie-down location. The pilot stated that, during the turn, he misjudged the space needed to safely execute the maneuver and struck a parked airplane with his airplane's right wing tip. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing trailing edge section main spar attachment point and buckling of the right wing flap and tip. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, after landing he taxied the airplane to the general aviation tie down area on the airport. The pilot stated that he normally taxis the airplane through the open space between the second and third tie down rows on the ramp. The pilot's normal tie down space was occupied and he initiated a 180 degree turn to exit the row for an alternate tie down location. The pilot stated that during the turn, he misjudged the space needed to safely execute the maneuver and struck a parked airplane with his airplane's right wing tip. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the right wing trailing edge section main spar attachment point, buckling of the right wing flap, and right wing tip. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87172](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87172-2019-03-09), registration cancelled 2019-03-09, S/N 345, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415-C - Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 345 - Airframe hours: 2318 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C75 SERIES 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mallard William C - Registered owner: Mallard William C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2013, 0 hours before - Departed: CCO, Newnan, GA - Destination: CCO, Newnan, GA - Airport: CCO, Newman Coweta County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 85; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 18, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 429 total, 274 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 11 knots - Temperature: 61 °F - Observed at: KFFC, 10 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 20130305004821A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130305004821A), Mar 5, 2013: Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, Newnan, GA, Substantial damage. On March 5, 2012 at approximately 11:30AM, [privacy data omitted]operator [privacy data omitted] was returning from a flight and taxing his aircraft (N87172),… ## Other investigations on N87172 (2) 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. - [NTSB ERA15LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA379), Aug 25, 2015: Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415 (N87172), Atlanta, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of airplane control, which resulted in a hard landing. - [NTSB ERA10LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA248), Apr 28, 2010: Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C (N87172), LaGrange, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to ensure that the fuel tank shut-off valve was open resulting in fuel starvation. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86358. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 625 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement. (item 2, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement.-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement. (item 3, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388588&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement.-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Right wing damage. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Right%20wing%20damage.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Right wing tip damage. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388594&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Right%20wing%20tip%20damage.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Front view of airplane. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.