- Date
- June 8, 1985, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N99018Ercoupe 415-C
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19850608067569A
- Case key
- 31248
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
According to witnesses, the plt was flying at a very low alt & was making 's' turns while proceeding southbound along a Beach. During the last left turn toward the east, the acft turned further left toward the north. While turning, the left wing struck water & the acft crashed, then it sank in less than one minute. The plt received a head injury & drowned. Toxicology tests showed the alcohol level of his blood was 0.128%, urine was 0.193% & gastric fluid was 0.117%. His last med cert was dated 2/22/83. Witnesses reported that heavy rain & strong gusty winds began shortly after the plane crashed.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N99018
- Reported as
- Ercoupe 415-C
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 1641
- Engine
- Continental C-75-12, 75 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- James E. Griffiths
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- DED · Deland, FL
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 59
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Expired
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 8,000 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 100° at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- DAB, 4 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.