# NTSB IAD97LA083: Ercoupe G, N94435, Dalton, NY, June 8, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1997, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Dalton, NY
- Coordinates: 42.539295, -77.889114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5393&lon=-77.8891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28200
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28200/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA083

## Probable cause

the pilot's delay in aborting the landing after allowing the airplane to touchdown long.  His failure to attain a proper touchdown point was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - performed, pilot in command
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

Witnesses observed the airplane touchdown hard, 400 feet beyond the approach end of the 1,320 foot long, unmowed, turf strip. The airplane bounced during touchdown, and the pilot attempted to go around by aiming the airplane between two trees. The right wing struck a 35 to 50 foot high tree at the departure end of the runway, and the airplane descended into a field.

## Factual narrative

On June 8, 1997, at 1830 eastern daylight time, N94435, an Ercoupe G, was destroyed when it collided with a tree, and descended to the ground during an aborted landing at a private grass strip in Dalton, New York.  The private pilot was fatally injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

Witnesses near to the accident site reported that the airplane touched down long, and hard on the 1,320 foot long, private, unmowed turf strip.  The pilot attempted to go-around, but the right wing struck a 35-50 foot high tree at the departure end of the runway, and the airplane descended into a field west of the runway.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the airplane touched down to the east about 400 feet beyond the approach end of the turf strip.  The Inspector said that the witnesses reported that the pilot pointed the airplane between two trees, but the right wing struck the trees and, "...spun the airplane into the field... ."

According to the FAA, the pilot did not have a current bi-annual.  Examination of the wreckage did not disclose any abnormalities with the engine or the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94435](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94435-1998-06-19), registration cancelled 1998-06-19, S/N 5081 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) G
- Registry model: [Ercoupe G](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-g) (registry code 0420722) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5081
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald F Hark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 1996
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, runway 9, 1,320 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 130 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROC, 75 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 19970608013499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970608013499A), Jun 8, 1997: Dart G, Allegany County, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft landed and ran out of runway, attempted to takeoff again, hit trees, crashed. (.4) on June 8, 1997, at 1830 eastern daylight time, N94435, an Ercoupe…

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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