# NTSB SEA00LA175: Ercoupe 415-C, N87351, Wapato, WA, September 3, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 2000, 18:00 local (Sep 3, 2000, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Wapato, WA - Coordinates: 46.44976, -120.509124 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4498&lon=-120.5091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50157 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50157/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA175 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees off the approach end of the runway, and his delay of the remedial action that would have allowed him to clear the trees. Factors include the pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath, trees off the approach end of the runway, and a downdraft in the vicinity of the approach path. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis While on approach to the private airstrip, the pilot inadvertently allowed the aircraft to descend to a lower than normal altitude. When he was about 50 feet from the end of the runway, he realized that he needed to climb in order to clear the trees just off the approach end. Although he added power, he did not do so in time to climb above the treetops. Therefore the aircraft collided with the trees and tumbled into the terrain. The pilot also thought that he may have encountered a downdraft at about the same time as he added power for the climb. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 2000, approximately 1800 Pacific daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N87351, collided with trees just off the approach end of a private airstrip near Wapato, Washington. The private pilot received serious injuries, his passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Sunnyside Municipal Airport, Sunnyside, Washington, about 30 minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. In a post-accident conversation with a Federal Aviation Administration Operations Inspector, the pilot, who based the aircraft at the private strip, said that while on final approach, he inadvertently allowed the aircraft to descend lower than normal. When he was about 50 feet from the approach end of the airstrip, he realized that he would need to climb in order to clear the trees that were located just short of the runway. Although he added power, he had done so too late to enable the aircraft to climb above the treetops. Therefore, the aircraft struck the trees and nosed over into the terrain. The pilot further stated that he thought he may have encountered a downdraft at about the time he added power. He said that he was not aware of any problems with the airframe, flight controls, or the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87351](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87351-2001-06-18), registration cancelled 2001-06-18, S/N 524 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe 415-C - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 524 - Engines: Continental C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard J. Meyer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 2000 - Departed: 1S5, SUNNYSIDE, WA - Airport: runway 31, 5,280 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 623 total, 23 in this make and model, 623 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 20000902008329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000902008329A), Sep 2, 2000: Wapato, WA, No damage. (-23) Pilot allowed airspeed to get too slow on short final. A/c stalled and fell into trees at approach end of runway. ## Other investigations on N87351 (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX80FUJ48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUJ48), Apr 18, 1980: Erco 415-C (N87351), Tonopah, AZ, substantial damage 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.