# NTSB FTW00LA213: Ercoupe 415-C, N99236, Stephenville, TX, July 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2000, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Stephenville, TX - Coordinates: 32.20922, -98.209671 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2092&lon=-98.2097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49731/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA213 ## Probable cause The collision with a bird while in cruise flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - object - bird(s) (cause) - evasive maneuver - not possible, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot reported the airplane's right wing was struck by a 'buzzard' while in cruise flight. The 'buzzard' impacted the top of the leading edge on the outboard section of the wing damaging six wing ribs. The pilot reported that the damage affected the flight characteristics of the airplane. He was able to maintain control and landed the aircraft without further incident. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2000, at 1130 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C single-engine airplane, N99236, was substantially damaged as a result of a bird strike while in cruise flight near Stephenville, Texas. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was uninjured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot and another private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Longview, Texas, at 0830, and was destined for Stephenville, Texas. According to the pilot, approximately 20 miles east of Stephenville's Clark Field Municipal Airport, the airplane's right wing was struck by a "buzzard." The pilot reported that he observed the "buzzard" slightly above and to the right of his flight path. The "buzzard" dove into the airplane and the pilot was unable to avoid the collision. The "buzzard" impacted the top of the leading edge on the outboard section of the wing substantially damaging six consecutive wing ribs. The pilot added that the damage affected the flight characteristics of the airplane. The pilot was able to maintain control and landed the aircraft without further incident. The pilot reported the sky was clear, the wind was from the southwest at 12-18 knots, and the temperature was approximately 87 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99236](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99236-2004-01-08), registration cancelled 2004-01-08, S/N 1859, 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: 1859 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William K. Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2000 - Departed: GGG, LONGVIEW, TX - Destination: SEP, STEPHENVILLE, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,220 total, 52 in this make and model, 4,246 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °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 20000714005119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000714005119A), Jul 14, 2000: Univar 415C, Stephenville, TX, No damage. (-23) On July 14, 2000, at 1040 CDT, an alon-415 (eroupe) N99236, owned by benjamin e. lefever and william k. johnson, 516 hilliard Dr. Fayetteville, n.c.… ## Other investigations on N99236 (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 MIA02LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA021), Nov 18, 2001: Ercoupe 415-C (N99236), Southern Pines, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The dislodging of the front crankshaft oil seal for undetermined reasons resulting in loss of engine oil, loss of engine power, and collision with a tree and then the ground during a forced landing. - [NTSB NYC87LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA224), Aug 9, 1987: Ercoupe 415-C (N99236), York, PA, substantial damage 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.