# NTSB ERA15CA317: Ercoupe 415 C, N93606, Fairmont, WV, August 14, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2015, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Fairmont, WV - Coordinates: 39.447776, -80.167503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4478&lon=-80.1675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91801/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91801 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA317 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and his exceedance of the wing's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff he noticed that there was no movement on the header tank fuel float gauge. He went on to say that the fuel float gauge then started to move "down quickly", and since he still had the airport insight, he decided to turn back and conduct a precautionary landing. As he approached for landing he "raised" the nose of the airplane to slow down; but became "too low and too slow" and the airplane collided with a road adjacent to the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Examination of the fuel float gauge by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any anomalies. In addition, the pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff he noticed that there was no movement on the header tank fuel float gauge. He went on to say that the fuel float gauge then started to move "down quickly", and since he still had the airport insight, he decided to turn back and conduct a precautionary landing. As he approached for landing he "raised" the nose of the airplane to slow down; but became "too low and too slow" and the airplane collided with a road adjacent to the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Examination of the fuel float gauge by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any anomalies. In addition, the pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93606](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93606), registered now, S/N 929, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 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: 929 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1474.8 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clem Robert J - Registered owner: Clem Robert J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2014 - Departed: 4G7, Fairmont, WV - Destination: 4G7, Fairmont, WV - Airport: 4G7, Fairmont Municipal Airport, runway 23, 3,194 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 106 total, 106 in this make and model, 27.7 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: CKB, 9 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 20150814013679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150814013679A), Aug 14, 2015: Ercoupe 415-C, Fairmont, WV, Substantial damage. Pilot reported fuel quanity was known prior to takeoff by visual inspection of tanks. During takeoff, pilot noticed main fuel tank gauge beginning to drop… ## Other investigations on N93606 (1) 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 ERA13LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA007), Oct 4, 2012: Ercoupe 415-C (N93606), Parkersburg, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91801. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434158&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Pilot Logbook Excerpts (item 3, .PDF, 680 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434159&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation FAA (item 5, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434161&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 6, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434162&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.