# NTSB MIA87LA095: Ercoupe 415-C, N93977, Clearwater, FL, February 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1987, 18:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Coordinates: 27.759408, -82.279273 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7594&lon=-82.2793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA095

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - emergency procedure - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REDUCE THROTTLE AND LAND BUT THE THROTTLE CONTROL DID NOT REDUCE THE POWER. HE THEN LANDED AND ATTEMPTED TO USE THE BRAKES TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BUT IT SLID OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A DITCH. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE THROTTLE CONTROLS REVEALED THAT THEY FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE THROTTLE CONTROL IS 2 INCHES FROM THE TRIM CONTROL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEY LOOK AND THE FEEL SIMILIAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93977](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93977), registered now, S/N 1300, 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1300
- Airframe hours: 2474
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rodrigo Gomez
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: OCF, OCALA, FL
- Destination: CLW, CLEARWATE, FL
- Airport: CLW, Clearwater Exec, runway 15, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 165 total, 15 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 6 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 19870226037579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870226037579A), Feb 26, 1987: Univar 415C, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft overran the runway on landing. Suspect the pilot pulled the trim knob instead of the throttle knob.

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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