# NTSB LAX69A0024: Erco 415-C, N3280H, Calipatria, CA, October 27, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 27, 1968
- Place: Calipatria, CA · CALIPATRIA, CA
- Location: 33.1687° N, 115.4856° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Calipatria, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1687&lon=-115.4856&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 107836
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX69A0024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69A0024

## NTSB brief (aircraft 2)

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3570  68/10/27   CALIPATRIA,CALIF    PIPER PA-16         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 33, 40 TOTAL
        TIME - 1640                    N5847H              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  2  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH AIRCRAFT: BOTH IN FLIGHT                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: PILOT OF OTHER AIRCRAFT
         SPECIAL DATA
          SEGMENTS OF AVIATION INVOLVED - SMALL US GEN.AV.-SMALL US GEN.AV.
          CONTROLLING AGENCY - NO CONTROL                          RADAR CTL/SURVEILLANCE - RADAR SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE
          TRAFFIC ADVISORY ISSUED - NONE                           CONTROL ZONE/AREA - NO
          EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN - NO                                ANTI-COLLISION LIGHTS - NOT INSTALLED
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- N3280H OVERTOOK AND STRUCK N5847H FROM THE REAR.
```

## NTSB brief (aircraft 1)

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3570  68/10/27   CALIPATRIA,CALIF    ERCO 415-C          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 41, UNK/NR
        TIME - 1640                    N3280H              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  2  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH AIRCRAFT: BOTH IN FLIGHT                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OTHER AIRCRAFT
         SPECIAL DATA
          SEGMENTS OF AVIATION INVOLVED - SMALL US GEN.AV.-SMALL US GEN.AV.
          CONTROLLING AGENCY - NO CONTROL                          RADAR CTL/SURVEILLANCE - RADAR SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE
          TRAFFIC ADVISORY ISSUED - NONE                           CONTROL ZONE/AREA - NO
          EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN - NO                                ANTI-COLLISION LIGHTS - NOT INSTALLED
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- N3280H OVERTOOK AND STRUCK N5847H FROM THE REAR.WITNESSES OBS BOTH PLTS AND PAX DRINKING BFOR FLT.
```

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N3280H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3280H-2019-12-13), registration cancelled 2019-12-13, S/N 3905, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 415-C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N5847H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5847H-2020-01-24), registration cancelled 2020-01-24, S/N 16-466, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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