# NTSB MIA82DA095: Ercoupe 415-C, N94067, Merritt Island, FL, March 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1982, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Merritt Island, FL
- Coordinates: 28.319919, -80.679168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3199&lon=-80.6792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA095

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT SUSPECTED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF.  HE CUT THE POWER TO LAND ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY.  THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RIGHT MAIN AND NOSE GEAR, AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.  THE PLANE SKIDDED ABOUT 100 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE 4000 FT RUNWAY.  NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94067](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94067-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 1390, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1390
- Airframe hours: 1736
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph T. Sullivan
- Registered owner: Joseph T. Sullivan
- Departed: COI, MERRITT ISLAND, FL
- Destination: COI, MERRITT ISLAND, FL
- Airport: COI, Merritt Island, runway 11, 4,000 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 300 total, 250 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 156 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820329007289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820329007289A), Mar 29, 1982: Univar 415C, Merritt Island, FL, Substantial damage. Partial unexplained power loss on nose-high liftoff. Aborted. High sink rate collapsed nose gear, wrinkled wings.

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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