# NTSB NYC00LA087: Ercoupe 415-C, N3719H, Rome, NY, March 4, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 4, 2000, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Rome, NY - Coordinates: 43.210853, -75.469474 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2109&lon=-75.4695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48761/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertently selecting the mixture control to off, resulting in a total loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - mixture - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot departed and flew to his intended destination to conduct some touch-and-go landings. The weather was 'excellent VFR,' and the winds were from the northeast approximately 12 knots. The first touch-and-go to runway 33 was completed without incident. On the second touch-and-go, at 300 feet agl, the pilot inadvertently selected the mixture control to off. Realizing the error, the pilot elected to continue the approach without trying to restart the engine because of altitude remaining. The airplane developed a 'high' rate of descent, and with insufficient time and altitude to regain 'adequate' airspeed, the pilot unsuccessfully attempted to flare the airplane for touchdown. The airplane impacted the runway approximately 10 degrees nose down, and 50 knots. The pilot secured the airplane's systems. Then, both he and his passenger exited the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 2000, about 1700 eastern standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N3719H, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Griffiss Airpark, Rome, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological condition prevailed for the personal flight that departed Utica, New York, destined for Griffiss. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, they had departed Utica and flown to Griffiss to conduct some touch-and-go landings. The weather was "excellent VFR" with the winds from the northeast approximately 12 knots. The first touch-and-go to runway 33 was completed without incident. On the second touch-and-go, at 300 feet agl, the pilot inadvertently selected the mixture control to off instead of carburetor heat. The pilot realized the error, but elected to continue the approach without trying to restart the engine because of altitude remaining. The airplane then developed a "high" rate of descent. With insufficient time and altitude to regain "adequate" airspeed, the pilot unsuccessfully attempted to flare the airplane for touchdown. The airplane impacted the runway approximately 10 degrees nose down, and 50 knots. The pilot secured the airplane's systems. Then, both he and his passenger exited. The pilot weighted 175 pounds, his passenger weighted 190 pounds, and there were 8 to 10 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of the accident. The pilot added that he had not flown the airplane at these "higher weights" in a long time. The pilot contributed the accident to improper selection of the mixture control to off, "airspeed management," "wind gradient awareness," "descent rate awareness," and loss of elevator authority at "low" airspeed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3719H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3719H-2002-07-31), registration cancelled 2002-07-31, S/N 4344, 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: 4344 - Airframe hours: 1311 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Craigmyle - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1999, 70 hours before - Departed: UCA, UTICA, NY - Destination: RME - Airport: RME, Griffiss Airpark, runway 33, 11,820 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,865 total, 118 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: UCA, 6 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 20000304008929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000304008929A), Mar 4, 2000: Rome, NY, No damage. (-23) On 3 March 2000, william r. craigmyle stated that while praticing touch & go landings at girffiss airpark, Rome, NY, he inadvertently selected mixture… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.