# NTSB LAX83FUG23: Ercoupe 415C, N2865H, Hesperia, CA, September 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1983, 05:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Hesperia, CA
- Location: 34.3769° N, 117.3161° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HESPERIA (L26), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3769&lon=-117.3161&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUG23
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUG23

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - distance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DEPARTING THE APT, USING THE TWO PRECEDING ACFT AS REFERENCED, AS HIS ACFT HAD NO TAXI OR LANDING LIGHTS. HIS ACFT WAS CAUGHT IN THE WAKE OF THE ACFT AHEAD, CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE ACFT STRUCK A BUSH APRX 100 FEET TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE, SPUN 360 DEGREES AND LANDED FLAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2865H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2865H), registered now, S/N 3490, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3490
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Robert Bayne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1982
- Airport: L26, Hesperia Air Lodge, runway 3, 3,750 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 309 total, 308 in this make and model, 284 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830922053039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830922053039A), Sep 22, 1983: Univar 415C, Hesperia, CA, Destroyed. Pilot attempted takeoff on unlighted runway in dark conditions. Control was lost in premature liftoff.

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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