# NTSB MKC86LA087: Ercoupe 415-C, N2578H, St. Louis, MO, April 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1986, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: St. Louis, MO
- Coordinates: 38.660728, -90.459495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6607&lon=-90.4595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA087

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - meteorological service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTS THAT A WIND SQUALL PASSED OVER THE ARPT AS HE WAS LANDING. HE SAID THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WINDSHEAR AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL ON FINAL APCH AND BEGAN TO SINK. THE PLT ADDED PWR BUT COULD NOT STOP THE SINK AND THE ACFT LANDED IN A PLOWED FIELD ABOUT 20 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE NOSE GEAR HIT A LIP AT THE END OF THE RWY AND COLLAPSED AFT DAMAGING THE FIREWALL AND FUSELAGE. NEARBY ST. LOUIS-LAMBERT FLD REPORTED A CB IN THE VIC AND A WINDSHIFT WITH WIND GUSTS TO 30 KTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACDT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2578H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2578H-2008-02-15), registration cancelled 2008-02-15, S/N 3203, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3203
- Airframe hours: 1747
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wallis F. Altom
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1985, 60 hours before
- Airport: 1HO, Creve Coeur, runway 25, 3,020 × 175 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 469 total, 75 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 22 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 7 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 19860412011739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860412011739A), Apr 12, 1986: Univar 415C, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway after encountering windshift on final. Nose gear struck runway lip and collapsed.

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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