# NTSB NYC08CA297: Ercoupe 415-C, N87376, Sebring, FL, August 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2008, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Sebring, FL - Coordinates: 27.479722, -81.324996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4797&lon=-81.3250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68828/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA297 ## Probable cause A bird strike which substantially damaged the propeller and required the engine to be secured. Contributing to the accident was the damaged propeller. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Propeller system: propeller blade section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the Ercoupe 415-C stated that while on climb out at approximately 1,300 feet, he noticed wood pieces and feathers coming into the cockpit through the open canopy, and "an extreme vibration ensued throughout the airplane." The pilot shut down the engine, and performed an emergency landing in a pasture. The airplane subsequently impacted a shallow ditch that was obscured by tall grass. The nose gear collapsed, the right wing spar bent aft, and the firewall buckled. The airplane was equipped with a two blade Sensenich wooden propeller; after the accident the pilot reported that "one blade was splintered." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the event, which was determined to be a bird strike. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of an Ercoupe 415-C, while on climb out at approximately 1,300 feet, he noticed wood pieces and feathers coming into the cockpit through the open canopy, and "an extreme vibration ensued throughout the airplane." The pilot shut down the engine, and performed an emergency landing in a pasture. The airplane subsequently impacted a shallow ditch that was obscured by tall grass. The nose gear collapsed, the right wing spar bent aft, and the firewall buckled. The airplane was equipped with a two blade Sensenich wooden propeller; after the accident the pilot reported that "one blade was splintered." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the event, which was determined to be a bird strike. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87376](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87376-2012-07-16), registration cancelled 2012-07-16, S/N 549, 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 549 - Airframe hours: 1154.6 - Engines: Continental C85 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vincent Mark Molina - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2007 - Departed: SEF, Sebring, FL - Destination: FPR, Ft. Pierce, FL - Airport: SEF, Sebring Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 442 total, 421 in this make and model, 391 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: OBE, 29 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 20080829855549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080829855549A), Aug 29, 2008: Univar 415C, Sebring, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 29, 2008, at approx. 12:15 EST, an Ercoupe 415-C hit a bird at approximately 1300 feet, the wood prop splintered and engine started heavy… 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.