# NTSB MKC78DCD04: Erco 415C, N87272, Alton, IA, October 13, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: October 13, 1977
- Place: Alton, IA · ALTON, IA
- Location: 42.9877° N, 96.0095° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alton, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9877&lon=-96.0095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 17, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 145214
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC78DCD04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCD04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3000  77/10/13   ALTON,IA            ERCO 415C           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 20, 72 TOTAL
        TIME - 1630                    N87272              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 11 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ALTON,IA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED ACTION IN ABORTING TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - RAN OFF END OF RUNWAY
        REMARKS- TAKEOFF FROM HARVESTED CORN FIELD.ABORTED WHEN AIRCRAFT STRUCK ROUGH SOFT SPOTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87272](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87272-2018-05-21), registration cancelled 2018-05-21, S/N 445, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 415C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-c) (registry code 0420302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19771013032029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771013032029A), Oct 13, 1977: Univar A2AALON, Alton, IA, Substantial damage. Takeoff from harvested corn field. Aborted when aircraft struck rough soft spots.

## Other investigations on N87272 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA66D0273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66D0273), Sep 26, 1965: Ercoupe 415-C (N87272), Sylacauga, AL, substantial damage

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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