# NTSB LAX81FA128: Erco 415-D, N3123H, Carefree, AZ, September 19, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 19, 1981
- Place: Carefree, AZ · CAREFREE, AZ
- Location: 33.8232° N, 111.9133° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Carefree, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8232&lon=-111.9133&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 12, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA128
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA128

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2303  81/9/19    CAREFREE,AZ         ERCO 415-D          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 48, UNK/NR
        TIME - 1033                    N3123H              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CAREFREE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          CAREFREE,AZ                 SCOTTSDALE,AZ                GLENDALE,AZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      85
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           60                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- D/A APRX 5000FT.CRASHED ON RISING TRRN APRX 132FT ABV ARPT ELEV,1.04MI FM ARPT.OVR MAX GROSS WT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3123H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3123H-1982-11-13), registration cancelled 1982-11-13, S/N 3748, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 415-D
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-c) (registry code 0420302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Carefree

## 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 19810919060109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810919060109A), Sep 19, 1981: Univar 415D, Carefree, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled on high density altitude takeoff trying to stay airborne above rising terrain. Was over gross weight.

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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