# NTSB MIA82DA171: Engineering & Research 415-C, N99987, Clearwater, FL, August 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1982, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Location: 27.9086° N, 82.6865° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ST PETE-CLEARWATER INTL (PIE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9086&lon=-82.6865&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA171

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER HE TOOK OFF ON RUNWAY 35R, HE TURNED OUT TO THE NORTHEAST. HE REPORTED THAT WHEN HE REACHED 900 FT, THE ENGINE STALLED AND RESTARTED. HE NOTIFIED THE TOWER AND WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON RUNWAY 09. A WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING THE AIRCRAFT ON A VERY HIGH FINAL APPROACH AND STATED THE PLANE FLOATED IN GROUND EFFECT WHILE THE PILOT WAS TRYING TO LAND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ABOUT 500 FT AT THE (APPROACH) END OF THE 5165 FT RUNWAY WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED AT TAIL WIND. HE REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT WISH TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND BECAUSE OF THE PRIOR ENGINE MALFUNCTION. ABOUT 300 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE 1447 EDT WEATHER OBSERVATION SHOWED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 070 DEG AT 8 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99987](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99987-1989-03-22), registration cancelled 1989-03-22, S/N 2610 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH 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: 2610
- Airframe hours: 2145
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth A. Kessler
- Registered owner: Kenneth A. Kessler
- Departed: PIE, CLEARWATER, FL
- Destination: PIE, CLEARWATER, FL
- Airport: PIE, St. Petersburg Int'L, runway 9, 5,165 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 302 total, 38 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 192 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE

## 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 19820816039419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820816039419A), Aug 16, 1982: Univar 415C, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power momentarily on takeoff. Stalled aircraft trying to land down wind on alternate runway.

## Other investigations on N99987 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA66F0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66F0024), Jun 13, 1965: Ercoupe 415C (N99987), St Petersburg, FL, substantial damage

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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