# NTSB MIA07CA128: Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C, N87026, Valkaria, FL, July 29, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2007, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Valkaria, FL - Coordinates: 27.953056, -80.559722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9531&lon=-80.5597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66326 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66326/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot stated that the flight was returning from a pleasure flight. He entered the traffic pattern for landing on runway 27; however, there was one airplane in the traffic pattern for runway 32. He was a little high on final approach and elected a go-around. He climbed to 800 feet and went to the shoreline, then reentered the traffic pattern for runway 27. The airplane was again high and when the flight was 1/2 way down the runway he performed a second go-around. This time he flew to the Indian River and returned for landing on runway 27. When the flight was over the numbers, he pulled aft on the yoke. He felt the airplane sinking when it was about 50 feet above the ground. He added full power, and about that time, the right wing stalled, the nose dropped, and right wing impacted the runway, followed by the nose. The airplane slid about 100 feet and was facing 90 degrees from the original flight path before it came to a stop. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane without assistance. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the flight was returning from a pleasure flight. He entered the traffic pattern for landing on runway 27; however, there was one airplane in the traffic pattern for runway 32. He was a little high on final approach and elected a go-around. He climbed to 800 feet and went to the shoreline, then reentered the traffic pattern for runway 27. The airplane was again high and when the flight was 1/2 way down the runway he performed a second go-around. This time he flew to the Indian River and returned for landing on runway 27. When the flight was over the numbers, he pulled aft on the yoke. He felt the airplane sinking when it was about 50 feet above the ground. He added full power, and about that time, the right wing stalled, the nose dropped, and right wing impacted the runway, followed by the nose. The airplane slid about 100 feet and was facing 90 degrees from the original flight path before it came to a stop. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane without assistance. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87026](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87026-2012-07-12), registration cancelled 2012-07-12, S/N 199 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C - Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 199 - Engines: Teledyne Continental 85-12F reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald Nathaniel Stillwell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 2RR, River Ranch, FL - Destination: X59, Valkaria, FL - Airport: KX59, Valkaria Airport, runway 27, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 860 total, 33 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KMLB ## 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 20070729020409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070729020409A), Jul 29, 2007: Univar 415C, Valkaria, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that while attempting to land on runway 27 at Valkaria Airport, he initiated a go-around because of low airspeed and increasing vertical… 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.