# NTSB LAX83FA397: Ercoupe 415-C, N94369, Kernville, CA, August 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1983, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Kernville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.72948, -118.390151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7295&lon=-118.3902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA397
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA397

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN RISING TERRAIN 6 MI WEST OF THE DEPARTURE ARPT AT 5,000 FT MSL. THE ALTA SIERRA PASS IS 6,500 FT MSLWITH MOUNTAIN TOPS AT 8,320 FT MSL. THE PLT WAS ISSUED A STUDENT CERTIFICATE ON 8/22/80 WHICH WAS NOT RENEWED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94369](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94369-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 1592, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 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
- Serial number: 1592
- Airframe hours: 752
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Charles Linn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 5, 1981, 74 hours before
- Departed: L05, KERNVILLE, CA
- Destination: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 261 total, 241 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830813043059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830813043059A), Aug 13, 1983: Univar 415C, Kernville, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed at 5000 foot level in a mountain pass that was 6500 feet elevation. Density altitude was 7000 feet

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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