# NTSB MIA83LA188: Ercoupe 415-C, N99474, Melrose, FL, July 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1983, 20:30 local (Jul 24, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Melrose, FL
- Coordinates: 29.699575, -82.050125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6996&lon=-82.0501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON RWY 11 (ELEV 150 FT MSL) WITH A DENSITY ALT OF 1500 FT. HE REPORTED THE WIND WAS CALM, BUT APRX 14 MI WEST AT GAINSVILLE, FL, THE 2052 EDT WIND WAS FROM 250 DEG AT 9 KTS. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CLIMBED APRX 75 FT, THEN SETTLED INTO TREES AT THE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE GRASS ON THE RWY WAS DAMP, THE TIRES WERE 'SOFT' & THE CANOPY WAS OPEN. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE ACFT USED MORE RWY THAN USUAL. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED. THE INVESTIGATOR ESTIMATED THAT THE TAKEOFF GROSS WT WAS 1318 LBS. THE MAX ALLOWABLE GROSS WT WAS 1260 LBS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99474](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99474-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 2097, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2097
- Airframe hours: 1127
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jenett K. Baker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1982
- Destination: 42J, KEYSTONE HGTS., FL
- Airport: 9FL, Sanders Ranch, runway 11, 300 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 29 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 14 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 19830723038769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830723038769A), Jul 23, 1983: Univar 415C, Melrose, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft sank into trees after lift off from runway. Aircraft was over gross weight on takeoff.

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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