# NTSB LAX80FUJ48: Erco 415-C, N87351, Tonopah, AZ, April 18, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 18, 1980
- Place: Tonopah, AZ · TONOPAH, AZ
- Location: 33.4880° N, 112.9308° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tonopah, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4880&lon=-112.9308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 3, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FUJ48
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUJ48

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3708  80/4/18  NR.TONOPAH,AZ         ERCO 415-C          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             CERTIFICATE UNKNOWN, AGE
        TIME - 1830                    N87351              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  49, 8000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            2000 IN TYPE, UNK/NR
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         TONOPAH,AZ                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: NOSEWHEEL STEERING
           SYSTEMS - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: AILERON AND AILERON TAB CONTROL SYSTEM
           SYSTEMS - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: RUDDER AND RUDDER TAB CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PLT RAMMED RUDDER,AILERON HARD TO ENTER SPIN.NOSE GR STEERING PUSH ROD BEARING HOUSING FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87351](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87351-2001-06-18), registration cancelled 2001-06-18, S/N 524 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800418010539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800418010539A), Apr 18, 1980: Univar 415C, Tonopah, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot jammed aileron control over to spin aircraft. Nose gear steering rod failed. Jammed aileron in left bank.

## Other investigations on N87351 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA00LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA175), Sep 3, 2000: Ercoupe 415-C (N87351), Wapato, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees off the approach end of the runway, and his delay of the remedial action that would have allowed him to clear the trees. Factors include the…

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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