# NTSB MKC82FCG17: Ercoupe 415-C, N93846, Topeka, KS, March 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1982, 13:03 local (19:03 UTC)
- Place: Topeka, KS
- Location: 39.0483° N, 95.6780° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Topeka, KS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0483&lon=-95.6780&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FCG17
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72842/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCG17

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AND BURNED DURING TAKEOFF AT 1303 CST. THE PILOT RECEIVED SECOND DEGREE BURNS OVER 20 PER CENT OF HIS BODY AND EXPIRED ON 3/9/82. TWO SAILPLANES WERE DAMAGED BY IMPACT AND FIRE, AND A THIRD SAILPLANE RECEIVED FIRE DAMAGE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, HE MADE TWO TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS IN CALM AIR WITHOUT INCIDENT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT ON HIS THIRD TAKEOFF, HE STARTED A TURN AT 75 FT AGL AND WAS CAUGHT BY A SUDDEN GUST OF WIND WHICH CAUSED HIS RIGHT WING TO DROP. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED BEFORE HE COULD REGAIN CONTROL. HE REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE OR AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO IMPACT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS CALM PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THEN SUDDENLY BECAME GUSTY FROM THE NORTH AT 15 MPH. EIGHT MILES SOUTHEAST AT THE PHILLIP BILLARD AIRPORT, THERE WAS A WIND SHIFT AT 1344 CST FROM 040 DEGREES AT 4 KNOTS TO 010 DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93846](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93846-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 1169, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 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: 1169
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: L O Ledbetteo
- Registered owner: L O Ledbetteo
- Departed: PVT, TOPEKA, KS
- Destination: PVT, TOPEKA, KS
- Airport: PVT, Mesa Verde, runway 10, 2,800 × 0 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 250 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820302001399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820302001399A), Mar 2, 1982: Univar 415C, Topeka, KS, Destroyed. Lost control of aircraft on climbout when struck by a sudden wind gust. Crashed into parked airplanes.

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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