# NTSB NYC88LA171: Ercoupe 415C, N94037, Steep Falls, ME, June 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1988, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Steep Falls, ME
- Location: 43.7630° N, 70.6725° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LIMINGTON-HARMON (63B), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7630&lon=-70.6725&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA171

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ERCOUPE 415C TOOK OFF TO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO'S WITH A STUDENT PILOT IN THE LEFT SEAT AND ON THE CONTROLS. IN THE RIGHT SEAT WAS A PRIVATE PILOT WHO WAS LISTED AS A PILOT RATED PASSENGER. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE CO-OWNERS OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE STUDENT PILOT FLARED HIGH AND MADE A HARD LANDING ON THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94037](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94037-2020-04-03), registration cancelled 2020-04-03, S/N 1360, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-d) (registry code 0420316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1360
- Airframe hours: 1619
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce Patten/Mervyn Keller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1988, 24 hours before
- Airport: 63B, Linington, runway 11, 3,000 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 44 total, 9 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880618070279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880618070279A), Jun 18, 1988: Univar 415C, Limington, ME, Substantial damage. Student leveled off too high, stalled and hit runway in a crab angle. Pilot rated passenger on board.

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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