# NTSB MIA00LA180: Ercoupe 415-C, N2589H, Stockbridge, GA, May 31, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 2000, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Stockbridge, GA
- Coordinates: 33.539394, -84.240303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5394&lon=-84.2403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA180

## Probable cause

an in-flight collision with trees while maneuvering, which was the result of the pilot not allowing adequate altitude to clear the trees before starting a turn.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The airplane was seen flying low over a private airstrip at an altitude of 3 to 4 feet above the ground.  The pilot stated he was going 'to practice landing approaches.'  According to the statement in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, '...about two-thirds of the distance down runway 9, on this approach, he [pilot] pulled up, banked right, and his right wing hit the top of a pine tree.  The plane crashed in the trees on the west side of runway 33.'  The airplane traveled about 1,500 feet and came to rest in a tree.

## Factual narrative

On May 31, 2000, about 1845 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N2589H, registered to a private individual impacted with trees while maneuvering near Stockbridge, Georgia.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight.  The airplane received substantial damage.  The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries.  The airplane had departed the Berry Hill Airport, Stockbridge, Georgia, about 1830.

The airplane was seen flying low over a private airstrip at an altitude of 3 to 4 feet above the ground.   At the end of the airstrip the airplane pulled up, banked to the right (west), and the right wing tip struck a tree.  The airplane traveled about 1,500 feet and came to rest in a tree.

The pilot stated he was going "to practice landing approaches."  He was on the second practice approach to runway 9, and according to the statement in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, "...about two-thirds of the distance down runway 9, on this approach, he [pilot] pulled up, banked right, and his right wing hit the top of a pine tree.  The plane crashed in the trees on the west side of runway 33."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2589H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2589H-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 3214, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe 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: 3214
- Airframe hours: 3555
- Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joesph L. Knight Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1999, 26 hours before
- Departed: 4A0
- Airport: 8A5, Gorden Bellah, runway 9, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 278 total, 23 in this make and model, 199 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: ATL, 2 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 20000531007439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000531007439A), May 31, 2000: Univar 415C, Stockbridge, GA, No damage. (-23) The pilot could not recall the events leading up to the crash. Witness stated the aircraft was making low approaches and it appeared he overshot the…

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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