# NTSB NYC88LA208: Ercoupe 415C, N169WS, Auburn-Lewiston, ME, August 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1988, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Auburn-Lewiston, ME
- Location: 44.0485° N, 70.2835° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at AUBURN/LEWISTON MUNI (LEW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0485&lon=-70.2835&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - tie down - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT OF AN ERCOUPE 415C HAND-PROPPED THE AIRCRAFT WITH NO ONE AT THE CONTROLS AND THE TAIL NOT TIED DOWN. THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE ERCOUPE STRUCK A PARKED, UNOCCUPIED, TIED DOWN CESSNA 170.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N169WS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N169WS), registered now, S/N 856, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-d) (registry code 0420306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 856
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Moss
- Registered owner: David Moss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: LEW, Auburn-Lewiston Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19880803034939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880803034939A), Aug 3, 1988: Univar 415C, Auburn-Lewiston, ME, Substantial damage. Hand started by propping, aircraft ran into 2 parked aircraft. Failed to secure aircraft or have pilot at controls.

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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