# NTSB FTW00LA223: Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-CD, N3177H, Abbeville, LA, June 29, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2000, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Abbeville, LA - Coordinates: 29.970741, -92.119392 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9707&lon=-92.1194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 49885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA223 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49885/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA223 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor was the crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land on runway 15 prior to thunderstorms moving over the airport. The pilot reported that the wind was from the south-southwest at 10-15 knots, and gusting 20-25 knots. The pilot added that he had to use 'higher than normal approach speeds to maintain directional control.' The pilot added that he landed 'fast and hit hard.' The airplane bounced and departed the runway into the grass. The nose gear collapsed, damaging the firewall. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 2000, at 1840 central daylight time, an Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-CD airplane, N3177H, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during landing at the Abbeville Chris Crusta Memorial Airport near Abbeville, Louisiana. The private pilot, who was the owner and sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Abbeville Airport at 1830. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the wind was from the south-southwest at 10-15 knots, and gusting to 20-25 knots. The pilot added that the "aircraft had no rudder pedals to allow for sufficient crab for conditions," and he had to use "higher than normal approach speeds to maintain directional control." The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he was attempting to land on runway 15 prior to thunderstorms moving over the airport. The pilot added that he landed "fast and hit hard," and the airplane bounced and departed the runway into the grass. The nose landing gear collapsed, damaging the firewall. The FAA reported the accident to the NTSB on August 3, 2000. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3177H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3177H), registered now, S/N 3802, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD (ERCOUPE 41) - Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-cd) (registry code 0420314) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3802 - Airframe hours: 1733 - Engines: Continental O-320-G-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frederick Martinez - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 2000, 7 hours before - Departed: 0R3, ABBEVILLE, LA - Airport: 0R3, Abbeville Chris Crusta, runway 15, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 10, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 325 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 185° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg ## 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 20000629007289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000629007289A), Jun 29, 2000: Abbeville, LA, No damage. (-23) Pilot made approach faster than normal to try and land before approaching squall line. Airplane bounced on landing, which resulted in nose gear… 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.