# NTSB LAX92LA335: Ercoupe 415C, N99585, Dunsmuir, CA, August 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1992, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Dunsmuir, CA
- Coordinates: 41.189952, -122.260711 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1900&lon=-122.2607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27718
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA335
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27718/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA335

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM ANY PREFLIGHT PLANNING OR PREPARATION AND SELECTED THE WRONG RUNWAY.  FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE EXISTING TAILWIND, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## 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
  - object - tree(s)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM AN UPSLOPE RUNWAY WITH A 4 KNOT TAILWIND WITH A HEAVILY LOADED AIRPLANE.  THE AIRCRAFT USED ALL BUT A 100 FEET OF THE RUNWAY TO LIFT OFF.  THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO CLIMB AFTER IT LIFTED OFF AND COLLIDED WITH A LARGE FIR TREE ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.  INVESTIGATORS FOUND THE THROTTLE IN THE FULL POWER POSITION AND THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN THE FULL RICH POSITION.  THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 5,900 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL AND THE RUNWAY'S GRADIENT WAS A PLUS 1.11 PERCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99585](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99585-1993-02-17), registration cancelled 1993-02-17, S/N 2208 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2208
- Airframe hours: 3002
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ryan, Terry W.
- Registered owner: Ryan, Terry W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1991, 60 hours before
- Destination: Q17, BOONEVILLE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 1O6, Dunsmuir-Mott Municipal, runway 32, 2,700 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19920805029059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920805029059A), Aug 5, 1992: Univar 415C, Dunsmuir, CA, Substantial damage. Failed to clear trees on uphill downwind takeoff. Density altitude full load and 85 degree temperature also factors

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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