# NTSB MIA06CA027: Ercoupe 415C, N99009, Wiersdale, FL, December 11, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 11, 2005, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Wiersdale, FL - Coordinates: 29.033332, -81.033332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0333&lon=-81.0333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Orlando, Florida - NTSB case key (mKey): 62950 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62950/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper planning and failure to abort the takeoff in sufficient time which resulted in the airplane overrunning the runway and nosing over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The pilot stated that he did not use all the available runway, and he attempted the takeoff uphill, on a soggy turf runway, which previously had received about 24 hours of rain. He further stated that the acceleration was restricted due to the runway conditions, and as he progressively thought he would become airborne, the airplane would transit through a soft spot on the runway, and decelerate. He said he should have aborted the takeoff sooner, but he did not, and when he finally applied the brakes and attempted to stop the airplane, he probably hit a drainage ditch, became airborne for a short time prior to hitting the ground, and then proceeded down a bank and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On December 11, 2005, about 1100 eastern standard time, an Engineering and research Ercoupe 415-C, N99009, registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight crashed while attempting to take off from Love Landing, Wiersdale, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated flight instructor and one passenger received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he attempted the takeoff uphill, on a soggy turf runway, which previously had received about 24 hours of rain. He further stated that the acceleration was restricted due to the runway conditions, and as he progressively thought he would become airborne, the airplane would transit through a soft spot on the runway, and decelerate. He said he should have aborted the take off sooner, but he did not, and when finally applied the brakes and attempted to stop the airplane probably hit a drainage ditch, became airborne for a short time prior to hitting the ground, and then it proceeded down a bank and nosed-over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99009](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99009), registered now, S/N 1632, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C - Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1632 - Airframe hours: 1500 - Engines: Continental C90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mudgett Aircraft Sales - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005 - Departed: 97FL, Wiersdale, FL - Airport: NONE, Love Landing, runway 09, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 12,200 total, 60 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: OCF ## 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 20051211031709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051211031709A), Dec 11, 2005: Univar 415C, Weirsdale, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he began takeoff from midfield on runway 09, with approximately 1,500 feet of available runway remaining. Such distance was… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.