# NTSB FTW90FA092: Ercoupe 415CD, N3504H, Hereford, TX, April 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1990, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Hereford, TX
- Coordinates: 34.820018, -102.389183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8200&lon=-102.3892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA092

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT EXCEEDED BY THE PILOT, THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO DRUGS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE LOW AND MOVING VERY SLOW WHEN THE NOSE PITCHED STRAIGHT DOWN AND CONTINUED IN THAT ATTITUDE TO IMPACT IN A NEAR VERITCAL ATTITUDE. AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE OCCURRED AFTER IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE WAS 22 POUNDS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS AT THE MOST AFT LIMIT. THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT TESTED POSITIVE FOR DIAZEPAM, NORDIAZEPAM, FENFLURAMINE, AND DIPHENHYDRAMINE. ACCORDING TO THE REGIONAL FLIGHT SURGEON'S OFFICE THESE DRUGS 'MAY HAVE INFLUENCED THE CEREBRATION REFLEX AND THE FUNCTION OF OPERATION MAY HAVE BEEN SLOWED, ALTERING JUDGMENT, AND COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.' IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3504H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3504H-1992-02-05), registration cancelled 1992-02-05, S/N 4129 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415CD
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-cd) (registry code 0420304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4129
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clyde, David N
- Departed: HRX
- Destination: TDW, AMARILLO, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HRX, Hereford, runway 21, 5,378 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 78 total, 5 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 21 knots, gusting 27
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °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 19900409007889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900409007889A), Apr 9, 1990: Univar 415CD, Hereford, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Apparent loss of control during departure climb. Nose pitched straight down, impacted terrain and burned.

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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