# NTSB FTW89DPJ02: Ercoupe 415C, N99636, Oklahoma City, OK, December 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1988, 14:48 local (20:48 UTC)
- Place: Oklahoma City, OK
- Coordinates: 35.519474, -97.480438 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5195&lon=-97.4804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DPJ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DPJ02

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,skin - not secured (cause)
  - aircraft protective covering - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - wing,skin - frayed (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - spiral - uncontrolled (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO GO INTO A STEEP BANKED SPIRAL FROM WHICH IT DID NOT RECOVER. IT STRUCK A TWO-CAR DETACHED GARAGE AND THEN THE GROUND. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE FABRIC OF BOTH WINGS HAD BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY, AND PART OF THE FABRIC ON THE LEFT WING HAD COME LOOSE IN FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99636](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99636-1991-03-22), registration cancelled 1991-03-22, S/N 2259 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2259
- Airframe hours: 2088
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kautz, James P.
- Registered owner: Harvey L Kautz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: 2DT, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total, 350 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 8 nm away

## 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 19881221055419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881221055419A), Dec 21, 1988: Univar 415C, Oklahoma City, OK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Left wing fabric came loose in flight. Aircraft spiraled out of control to ground impact. Wing fabric frayed worn.

## Other investigations on N99636 (1)

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 NYC68D0452](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68D0452), Mar 16, 1968: Erco 415-C (N99636), Glen, NY, 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.

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