# NTSB ERA21LA293: Ercoupe 415-C, N3044H, Frostproof, FL, July 18, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 18, 2021, 10:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Frostproof, FL - Coordinates: 27.750054, -81.559071 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7501&lon=-81.5591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103502/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103502 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA293 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff as a result of a child reaching for and manipulating the flight controls. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Intentional act: interference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051035): Personnel issues › Miscellaneous · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051035/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051035/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was going to take his grandson and great grandson on a flight around the airport. He stated that the great grandson was sitting on the lap of his grandson. During takeoff, as the airplane was lifting off the runway, the great grandson reached for the controls, turned them to the right, and pulled back. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right, exited the runway, and struck a fence. During the accident sequence, the fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3044H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3044H-2022-03-22), registration cancelled 2022-03-22, S/N 3669, 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3669 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3304 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 4, 2021, 47 hours before - Airport: 52FL, Lake Clinch Airpark, runway 18, 2,880 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; airline transport, sport pilot; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 12,148 total, 950 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: BOW, 17 nm away - METAR: KBOW 181450Z VRB04KT 10SM SCT025 30/22 A3020 ## 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 20210718010879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210718010879A), Jul 18, 2021: Ercoupe 415-C, Frostproof, FL, Destroyed. During takeoff aircraft stalled right main wheel hit wire fence aircraft cartwheeled to ground. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 26, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103502. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12521704&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12521472&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-pilot-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12522038&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s-Rel.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.