# NTSB SEA85FA217: Ercoupe 415-C, N93848, Orchards, WA, September 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1985, 16:56 local (23:56 UTC)
- Place: Orchards, WA
- Coordinates: 45.68082, -122.570999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6808&lon=-122.5710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40063/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - pull-up - initiated, pilot in command
  - wing,spar - separation (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PVT PLT WAS OBSERVED EXECUTING A WINGS LEVEL PULL-UP FROM A DIVE DURING WHICH, THE WITNESS REPORTED, THE WING TIPS BEGAN FLUTTERING. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, BOTH WINGS SEPARATED IN POSITIVE OVERLOAD. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT AND WINDS WERE LIGHT WITH NO REPORTED TUBULENCE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING WEAKNESS IN THE SPAR STRUCTURE AT THE SEPARATION POINT. THE CONDITION NECESSITATING THE PLT'S PULL-UP MANEUVER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N93848 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1171
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John R. Stauffer
- Registered owner: John R. Stauffer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 59S, VANCOUVER, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 110 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 9 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 19850918045619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850918045619A), Sep 18, 1985: Univar 415C, Orchards, WA, Destroyed. Aircraft pulled out of diving type maneuver in wings level attitude. Wings separated aircraft.

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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