# NTSB NYC93LA150: Erco 415D, Thomaston, ME, August 11, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1993, 20:50 local (Aug 11, 1993, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Thomaston, ME
- Location: 44.0819° N, 69.1795° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Thomaston, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0819&lon=-69.1795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38628
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38628/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA150

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT, AND THE SUBSEQUENT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGIAL CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FROM THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION, WHICH DID NOT PREDICT CONDITIONS. HE ARRIVED AT HIS DESTINATION, BUT HE COULD NOT LOCATE THE AIRPORT BECAUSE OF 'FOG'. HE CIRCLED THE AREA AND SAW A FIELD. AS HE MANEUVERED LOWER AND LOWER OVER THIS FIELD, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE WEATHER REPORTED AT HIS DESTINATION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 200 FEET OVERCAST WITH NO FOG. THEE PILOT DID NOT POSSESS AN INSTRUMENT RATING. HE STATED THAT THERW WERE O MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On Tuesday, August 10, 1993, at 2050 eastern daylight time, an Aircoupe 415D, CFJUB, registered in Canada to and piloted by Paul Winterhalder, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the terrain near Rockland, Maine.  The pilot received minor injuries.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot was attempting to land at the Knox County Regional Airport, Rockland, Maine.  When he flew over the airport, the runways were obscured by fog.  He said that he saw a field and began to maneuver over it in an attempt to find the runway.  While maneuvering at low altitude, the airplane inadvertently contacted the terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFJUB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Erco 415D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2257
- Airframe hours: 1296
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul H. Winterhalder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1993, 10 hours before
- Departed: 9B9, WISCASSET, ME
- Destination: RKD, ROCKLAND, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 140 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKD

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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