# NTSB MIA85FA187: Ercoupe 415-C, N99018, Daytona Beach, FL, June 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1985, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Daytona Beach, FL
- Location: 29.2108° N, 81.0228° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Daytona Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2108&lon=-81.0228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31248
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31248/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA187

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1641
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 59; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850608067569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850608067569A), Jun 8, 1985: Univar 415C, Daytona Beach, FL, Destroyed. Intoxicated pilot started low level turn over water and dragged a wingtip. Aircraft flipped over and sank.

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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