# NTSB NYC84LA283: Ercoupe 415-E, N2328H, Charlestown, RI, August 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1984, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Charlestown, RI
- Location: 41.3781° N, 71.6266° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Charlestown, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3781&lon=-71.6266&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA283

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - descent - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED SOME BRUSH AND BECOMING ENTANGLED IN VINES FOLLOWED BY THE PROPELLER BECOMING ENTANGLED. THE PROPELLER STOPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT SWUNG AROUND 180 DEGREES COMING TO REST ABOUT 500 FT FROM THE GRASS RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2328H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2328H-2012-09-04), registration cancelled 2012-09-04, S/N 2953, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-E
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-E](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-e) (registry code 0420328) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2953
- Airframe hours: 1377
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald C. Vincent
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 9, 1983
- Departed: BID, BLOCKISLAND, RI
- Destination: CHARLESTOWN, RI
- Airport: RI10, Duhammel Field, runway 4, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 150 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19840819041289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840819041289A), Aug 19, 1984: Univar 415E, Charlestown, RI, Substantial damage. Left main contacted bush on final. Propeller blades entangled in vines and stopped, aircraft swung 180 degrees.

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.