# NTSB SEA08CA167: Ercoupe 415-C, N93614, Corona, CA, July 26, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2008, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Coordinates: 33.906944, -117.603614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9069&lon=-117.6036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68527 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68527/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA167 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the gusty crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that he departed from runway 25 during gusty wind conditions. At 800 feet above ground level, he turned the airplane onto the crosswind leg and the left wing went down. The pilot recovered the airplane, added full throttle, and the airplane continued to descend. The pilot pulled back on the yoke to make the airplane climb; however, the airplane continued to descend. The airplane impacted trees and sustained substantial damage. According to the nearest aviation weather reporting system that was located at the airport, winds were from 290 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and found no mechanical anomalies that would have resulted in a loss of airplane control. ## Factual narrative The pilot provided a written statement to the Safety Board investigator. He reported that he departed from runway 25 during gusty wind conditions. At 800 feet above ground level, he turned the airplane onto the crosswind leg and the left wing went down. The pilot recovered the airplane, added full throttle, and the airplane continued to descend. The pilot pulled back on the yoke to make the airplane climb; however, the airplane continued to descend. The airplane impacted trees and sustained substantial damage. According to the nearest aviation weather reporting system that was located at the airport, winds were from 290 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and found no mechanical anomalies that would have resulted in a loss of airplane control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93614](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93614), registered now, S/N 3465, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe 415-C - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3465 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors C-85 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Herbert Guiness - Registered owner: Homer Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AJO, Corona, CA - Destination: AJO, Corona, CA - Airport: AJO, Corona Muni, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review November 1, 2007; flight hours: 1,500 total, 25 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 16 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: AJO ## 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 20080726843859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080726843859A), Jul 26, 2008: Univar 415C, Corona, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot stated he took off runway 25 gusty wind from 290. Climb at 80 las, 500 fpm-normal climb. Turned left on to crosswind leg. Left wing went down… 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.