# NTSB GAA20CA059: Ercoupe 415, N87173, Greer, SC, November 3, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 3, 2019, 17:43 local (22:43 UTC) - Place: Greer, SC - Coordinates: 35.034168, -82.298889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0342&lon=-82.2989&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100535/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100535 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, and impact with a fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on final approach to land on a grass runway, he was suddenly unable to see the runway clearly, which caused him to flare the airplane late. The airplane bounced and drifted left. The left landing gear touched down in tall vegetation, and the airplane veered left and impacted a fence. The pilot further reported that he was unsure what caused his inability to see the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while on final approach to land on a grass runway about sunset, he was suddenly unable to see the runway with any clarity, which caused him to flare late. The airplane bounced and drifted left. The left landing gear landed in tall vegetation, and the airplane veered left and impacted the fence. The pilot further reported that he was unsure what caused the inability to see the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87173](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87173-2020-11-09), registration cancelled 2020-11-09, S/N 346, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe 415 (C) - Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-c) (registry code 0420302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 346 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2062.8 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Old Time Aero Llc - Registered owner: Old Time Aero Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 2019 - Departed: AHN, Athens, GA - Destination: PVT, Greer, SC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PVT, The Flying Few, runway 28, 1,700 × 40 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review August 8, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 124.5 total, 101.5 in this make and model, 33.4 as pilot in command, 11.3 in the last 90 days, 2.7 in the last 30 days, 2.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KGSP, 10 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 20191103020799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191103020799A), Nov 3, 2019: Engineering & Research 415-C, Greer, SC, Substantial damage. During landing at the Flying Few grass strip in Greer, SC, N87173 bounced after initial touchdown and veered left. The aircraft struck a fence with the left… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100535. 851 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 618 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Damage Photo (item 3, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photo-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.