# NTSB NYC06CA211: Ercoupe 415-C, N93911, Harrisonburg, VA, June 16, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 15, 2006, 20:00 local (Jun 16, 2006, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Harrisonburg, VA
- Coordinates: 38.485, -78.945274
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4850&lon=-78.9453&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Washington, DC
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA211

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper engine starting procedure, resulting in an uncontrolled taxi, and collision with trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, after arriving at his destination airport and shutting off the airplane, he discovered that the "battery was too light" to start the engine again. After shutting off the fuel, he then attempted to hand start the airplane. He was able to start the engine, however; it "revved well beyond what was normal." He expected the engine to stall out, but it did not and the airplane moved forward, rolled down a steep embankment and struck trees, substantially damaging the airplane. According to FAA publication FAA-P-8740-20, "No one should attempt to start an aircraft engine without a qualified person at the cockpit controls."

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, after arriving at his destination airport and shutting off the airplane, he discovered that the "battery was too light" to start the engine again. After shutting off the fuel, he then attempted to hand start the airplane. He was able to start the engine, however; it "revved well beyond what was normal." He expected the engine to stall out, but it did not and the airplane moved forward, rolled down a steep embankment and struck trees, substantially damaging the airplane. According to FAA publication FAA-P-8740-20, "No one should attempt to start an aircraft engine without a qualified person at the cockpit controls."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93911](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93911-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 1234, built 1946 (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)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1234
- Engines: Continental C-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VA52, Harrisonburg, VA
- Destination: SHD, Staunton, VA
- Airport: VA52, Frank Field Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 200 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: SHD

## 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 20060615031309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060615031309A), Jun 15, 2006: Univar 415C, Harrisonburg, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] prop started N93911 at VA52, franks field on June 15, 2006. The engine started and the aircraft went over the side of…

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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