# NTSB FTW01LA077: Ercoupe 415-C, N93504, Houston, TX, March 13, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 2001, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.609762, -95.11943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6098&lon=-95.1194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 51903 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51903/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA077 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to execute a go-around after becoming low on a visual approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - altitude - low, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was executing touch-and-go landings when he misjudged the turn from the downwind leg to the base leg, which resulted in a premature descent. The pilot stated that he should have executed a go-around; however, he elected to continue toward the runway. Subsequently, the airplane's altitude on the final approach leg was low and the left wing contacted trees. The airplane then entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 2001, at 1145 central standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C airplane, N93504, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during final approach to the Clover Field Airport, Houston, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. 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 Clover Field Airport at 1130. According to the pilot, he was executing touch-and-go landings to runway 14R. He reported that he misjudged the turn from the downwind leg to the base leg, which resulted in a premature descent. He stated that he should have executed a go-around; however, he elected to continue toward the runway. Subsequently, the airplane's altitude on the final approach leg was low and the left wing contacted trees. The airplane then entered a descent and impacted the ground. Witnesses verified that the airplane was executing touch-and-go landings to runway 14R. One witness reported that he observed the airplane on final approach and it "looked different" than it had on previous approaches. They observed the airplane "bank steeply to the left" and, subsequently, impact the ground. According to FAA inspectors, who examined the airplane at the accident site, both wings were bent aft. The right wing's skin separated from the leading edge aft, which exposed the main wing spar. They added that the fuselage, empennage, and tail structure sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93504](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93504-2003-05-06), registration cancelled 2003-05-06, S/N 827, 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: 815 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry W. Jourdan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 2000 - Departed: LVJ, Houston, TX - Destination: LVJ - Airport: LVJ, Clover Field, runway 14R, 4,302 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 24, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 250 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: LVJ ## 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 20010313004419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010313004419A), Mar 13, 2001: Univar 415C, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On March 13, 2001, at 1130 CST, an Ercoupe 415-C airplane, N93504, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during final approach to… 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.