# NTSB FTW92LA235: Ercoupe 415-G, N94424, Gallup, NM, September 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1992, 18:32 local (Sep 30, 1992, 00:32 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Coordinates: 35.520862, -108.729118 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5209&lon=-108.7291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA235

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS WERE THE RISING TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - object - fence post

## Analysis

A CFI WAS CHECKING OUT A PILOT IN HIS NEWLY PURCHASED AIRPLANE ON THE FLIGHT BACK TO HIS HOME STATION. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB INTO THE RISING TERRAIN SURROUNDING THE AIRPORT. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT STATED THAT 'THE GROUND OUT CLIMBED THE AIRPLANE'. UNABLE TO CLIMB, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN THE FIRST OPEN AREA THAT BECAME AVAILABLE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A FENCE POST AND A FENCE DURING LANDING ROLLOUT ON A RUTTED DIRT ROAD. DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE AIRPORT WAS 8400 FEET AT THE TIME OF THEIR DEPARTURE. THE CFI HAD ONE HOUR IN THE TYPE OF AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94424](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94424-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 5058, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-G
- Registry model: [Ercoupe G](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-g) (registry code 0420722) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5058
- Airframe hours: 1240
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Porter, Marley
- Registered owner: Porter, Marley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: GUP
- Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 424 total, 317 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUP, 3 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 19920929039239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920929039239A), Sep 29, 1992: Univar 415G, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. Unable out climb rising terrain on climbout. Struck fence post landing on a road. Gross wt density altitude factors

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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