# NTSB FTW75AF066: Erco 415-CD, N3318H, Goldthwaite, TX, May 18, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 18, 1975
- Place: Goldthwaite, TX · GOLDTHWAITE, TX
- Location: 31.4508° N, 98.5735° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Goldthwaite, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4508&lon=-98.5735&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 148526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW75AF066
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75AF066

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0992  75/5/18  NR.GOLDTHWAITE,TX     ERCO 415-CD         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 47, 30 TOTAL
        TIME - 1900                    N3318H              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - RANCH STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         GOLDTHWAITE,TX               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        REMARKS- ABT 4FT OF R WG OUTBD PANEL FAILED. STUDENT PLT  ATTMPTD LOOP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3318H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3318H-1975-07-14), registration cancelled 1975-07-14, S/N 3943, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 415-CD
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-d) (registry code 0420326) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Ranch Strip

## 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 19750518012599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750518012599A), May 18, 1975: Univar 415CD, Goldthwaite, TX, Destroyed. Abt 4FT of r wg outbd panel failed. Student plt attmptd loop.

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.

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