# NTSB NYC86LA007: Ercoupe 415-D, N3191H, Sterling, MA, October 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1985, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, MA
- Location: 42.4259° N, 71.7929° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at STERLING (3B3), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4259&lon=-71.7929&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30244/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA007

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES WHILE MAKING AN APCH TO RWY 34 AT STERLING, MASSACHUSETTS. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 100 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THEN A RAPID RATE OF DESCENT FOLLOWED. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK TREES VEERING THE ACFT LEFT 20 DEGS. THE ACFT PITCHED THROUGH THE TREES, STRIKING THE GROUND LEFT WING AND NOSE FIRST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3191H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3191H-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 3816, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-d) (registry code 0420326) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3816
- Airframe hours: 1511
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kevin K. Eckert & Robert Mohr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1985, 50 hours before
- Departed: 3B3, STERLING, MA
- Airport: 3B3, Sterling, runway 34, 3,100 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 445 total, 181 in this make and model, 324 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19851011054679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851011054679A), Oct 11, 1985: Univar 415D, Sterling, MA, Substantial damage. Aircraft encountered a downdraft on final. Left main gear struck trees. Pulled up to avoid more trees and stalled.

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.