# NTSB NYC88LA197: Erco 415C, N94011, W. Bloomfield, NY, July 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1988, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: W. Bloomfield, NY
- Coordinates: 42.909839, -77.550559 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9098&lon=-77.5506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA197

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORLTY AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 150 FEET A.G.L., THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED IN A CORN FIELD ABOUT 0.5 MILE FROM AIRPORT. A PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THEY ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94011](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94011-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 1334, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 415C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1334
- Airframe hours: 1175
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gregory Storey
- Registered owner: Gregory Starey/James Metzler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 15 hours before
- Departed: F.W., W. BLOOMFIELD, NY
- Airport: Fort Hill, runway 19, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 75 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880729028629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880729028629A), Jul 29, 1988: Univar 415C, West Bloomfield, NY, Destroyed. Pilot reported poor climb,wind gust caused roll to inverted flight and nosed into ground. Small boy in baggage area

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.