# NTSB LAX86LA100: Ercoupe E, N94798, Apple Valley, CA, January 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1986, 09:19 local (17:19 UTC)
- Place: Apple Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.57056, -117.149513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5706&lon=-117.1495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT'S ENG LOST POWER AND THE ACFT FLIPPED OVER DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD IN FRONT OF HIS RESIDENCE. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE ACFT MADE THREE LOW PASSES OVER THE DIRT ROAD PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. A WITNESS COMMENTED THAT SHE HAD OBSERVED THE PLT THE DAY BEFORE, ON HIS TRACTOR, GRADING THE ROAD INFRONT OF HIS HOUSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94798](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94798), registered now, S/N 4911, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) E
- Registry model: [Ercoupe E](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-e) (registry code 0420504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4911
- Airframe hours: 1580
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-B 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Cochran
- Registered owner: Leonard D. Southwick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1980
- Departed: LUCERNE VALLEY, CA
- Destination: APPLE VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 221 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Observed at: VCV, 5 nm away

## 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 19860126001329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860126001329A), Jan 26, 1986: Univar 415E, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft flipped when pilot attempted to land on a road near his home. Expired medical, biennial. ELT not installed

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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