# NTSB NYC94LA095: Ercoupe 415-E, N3200H, Warrenton, VA, May 28, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 28, 1994, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Warrenton, VA - Location: 38.5504° N, 77.7158° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FLYING CIRCUS AERODROME (3VA3), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5504&lon=-77.7158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38764 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38764/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA095 ## Probable cause the pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and nosing over. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of experience on grass strips in this make and model airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - grass - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE 1946 ERCOUPE WAS NOT ACCELERATING AS THE PILOT WAS ACCUSTOMED, AND HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. DURING THE ABORT, THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 21 HOURS IN THE ERCOUPE, AND ALL PREVIOUS FLIGHTS WERE ON HARD SURFACE RUNWAYS. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST DEPARTURE FROM A GRASS STRIP IN THIS AIRPLANE. ## Factual narrative On May 28, 1994, at 0850 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-E, N3200H, owned and piloted by Veerayuth Didyasarin, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at the Flying Circus Airport, Warrenton, Virginia. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he held the brakes prior to takeoff and advanced the throttle to takeoff power. After brake release, when the airplane reached 40 to 45 knots, the pilot did not believe that the airplane was accelerating normally. He further stated: "...I made the decision to abort the takeoff by closing the throttle and applying both brake pedals equally. The aircraft veered to left side of runway in spite of right correction...The aircraft almost stopped when the nose wheel collapsed and the aircraft slowly and gently flipped over on its back..." According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector's report: "The pilot had 21 hours total time in aircraft. Prior to this flight, the pilot had flown the aircraft from a hard surface runway at Manassas Airport where it was based. The acceleration on takeoff from Flying Circus Aerodrome, a grass field, was not as rapid as that at Manassas and since the aircraft was not accelerating as he was accustomed, he elected to abort the takeoff. When the aircraft drifted toward the left edge of the runway, he was unable to correct its movement with proper input to the controls." END OF REPORT ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3200H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3200H-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 3825, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-E - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-E](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-e) (registry code 0420328) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3825 - Airframe hours: 1714 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Veerayuth Didyasarin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1993, 423 hours before - Airport: 3VA3, Flying Circus, runway 36, 2,500 × 250 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 21 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Observed at: IAD, 27 nm away ## 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 19940528012759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940528012759A), May 28, 1994: Univar 415E, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. Failed accelerate on takeoff. Aborted. Exited runway. Nosed over. First time on a grass runway. 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.