# NTSB MKC86LA066: Ercoupe 415-C, N3673H, Versailles, MO, March 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1986, 18:00 local (Mar 9, 1986, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Versailles, MO
- Coordinates: 38.429821, -92.839591 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4298&lon=-92.8396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA066

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - tree(s)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTS THAT HE WAS HAND PROPPING THE ENG. HE SAID THE ENG DID NOT START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND HE PRIMED IT A SECOND TIME. ON THE SECOND TRY THE ENG STARTED AND THE ACFT GOT AWAY FROM THE PLT, TAXIED ABOUT 75 FT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PLT SAID HE THOUGHT HE HAD PLACED A CHOCK ON ONE WHEEL BUT LATER FOUND BOTH CHOCKS ON HIS WORKBENCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3673H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3673H-1991-04-29), registration cancelled 1991-04-29, S/N 4298 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4298
- Airframe hours: 1715
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joe D. Lietzke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1985

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 135 total, 17 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SZL, 40 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 19860308005899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860308005899A), Mar 8, 1986: Univar 415C, Versailles, MO, Substantial damage. On second attempt to hand prop aircraft the engine started. Taxied unoccupied into the trees. Chock on workbench.

## Other investigations on N3673H (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 FTW90LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA187), Sep 30, 1990: Ercoupe 415-C (N3673H), Greers Ferry, AR, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO PENETRATE ADVERSE WEATHER AND THE RESULTANT SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT TRAINING/EXPERIENCE.

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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