# NTSB MIA97LA132: Ercoupe 415-C, N3263H, Bushnell, FL, April 9, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1997, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Bushnell, FL
- Coordinates: 28.660699, -82.109909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6607&lon=-82.1099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA132

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout and altitu de while on final approach to landing resulting in an in-flight collision with a fence and subsequent collision with terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper descent rate - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was 'little too low' and 'misjudged sink rate' while on final approach to landing.  The nose gear collided with a barbed wire fence and the airplane collided with the ground.

## Factual narrative

On April 9, 1997, about 1100 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N3263H, registered to a private owner, crashed on a private grass strip in the vicinity of Bushnell, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged.  The flight was local and no flight plan was filed.

On final approach for landing, the airplane struck a barbed wire fence with the nose gear, bending it rearward, and collided with the ground, skidding to a stop. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was "little too low" and "misjudged sink rate".

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3263H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3263H-2024-05-18), registration cancelled 2024-05-18, S/N 3888, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-c) (registry code 0420302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3888
- Airframe hours: 1679
- Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold D Barnes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1996, 8 hours before
- Departed: 09FD
- Airport: 09FD, Cheryl-Lane, runway 36, 2,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 91; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,656 total, 150 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 38 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 19970409005679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970409005679A), Apr 9, 1997: Univar 415C, Bushnell, FL, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final and too low. Nose gear hit barbed wire fence. Short final. Hit ground. Bent nose gear. (-23) on April 11, 1997, a ramp inspection of…

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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