# NTSB MIA91LA118: Ercoupe 415-C, N3025H, Green Cove Spgs, FL, April 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1991, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Green Cove Spgs, FL
- Coordinates: 29.979728, -81.67086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9797&lon=-81.6709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA118

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE ON APPROACH TO LAND DUE TO FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN VS RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE STALLING AND IMPACTING THE GROUND NOSE LOW.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APCH, THE PLT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DECAY.  AS A RESULT THE ACFT STALLED, IMPACTED THE GROUND NOSE LOW & NOSED OVER AFTER THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3025H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3025H), registered now, S/N 3650, 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: 3650
- Airframe hours: 2261
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Copelin, Wallace Lee
- Registered owner: Copelin, Wallace Lee
- Airport: 7FL4, Haller Airpark, runway 18, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,575 total, 1,550 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 28 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 19910407009049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910407009049A), Apr 7, 1991: Univar 415C, Green Cove Spri, FL, Substantial damage. Too slow on short final,stalled,impacted and nosed over after collapsing the nose gear.

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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