# NTSB GAA16CA105: Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415, N87405, Chappell, NE, January 13, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 13, 2016, 10:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Chappell, NE - Coordinates: 41.077777, -102.464721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0778&lon=-102.4647&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92601 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92601/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92601 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to correct for a crosswind during the takeoff roll due to the interlinked flight control design, which resulted in a runway excursion, and a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Design (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll with gusting wind, the right wing "lifted up sharply." He reported that at full power he attempted to rotate, the airplane departed the runway to the right, and the left wing impacted a snow bank. When the left wing impacted the snow bank, he reported that the airplane "swung" back to the left, and came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that the airplane is a "standard Ercoupe, with integrated nose-wheel steering, rudder and aileron, and no toe brakes." The pilot additionally stated that, "once the right wing lifted, it didn't matter what I did, the aircraft was going to go off the runway to the right" and that, "without rudder pedals and independent aileron authority to work a crosswind, it was not going to happen." The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll with gusting wind, the right wing "lifted up sharply." He reported that at full power he attempted to rotate, the airplane departed the runway to the right, and the left wing impacted a snow bank. When the left wing impacted the snow bank, he reported that the airplane "swung" back to the left, and came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that the airplane is a "standard Ercoupe, with integrated nose-wheel steering, rudder and aileron, and no toe brakes." The pilot additionally stated that, "once the right wing lifted, it didn't matter what I did, the aircraft was going to go off the runway to the right" and that, "without rudder pedals and independent aileron authority to work a crosswind, it was not going to happen." The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87405](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87405), registered now, S/N 578, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415 (CD) - Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 578 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2245.5 - Engines: Continental O-200-A71B 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: O'Hanlon, John, M. - Registered owner: O'Hanlon, John, M. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 2015 - Departed: CNP, Chappell, NE - Destination: CNP, Chappell, NE - Airport: CNP, Billy G Ray Field, runway 12, 4,000 × 55 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 25,460 total, 35 in this make and model, 25,140 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KSNY, 24 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 20160113000579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160113000579A), Jan 13, 2016: Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, Chappell, NE, Substantial damage. On Wednesday, January 13, 2016AT approximately 10:36 MST, Ercoupe N87405 was departing from runway 12. Flight control was lost, the aircraft's left wing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92601. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photographs (item 2, .PDF, 490 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437802&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs%20-Master.PDF 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.