# NTSB SEA87LA077: Ercoupe 415-C, N3258H, Scott Mills, OR, April 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1987, 16:00 local (Apr 6, 1987, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Scott Mills, OR
- Coordinates: 44.950634, -122.709945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9506&lon=-122.7099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - rotation - premature, dual student (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITH A GUSTING CROSSWIND FROM THE LEFT THE PILOT ALLOWED THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAKE THE TAKE OFF. THE STUDENT PILOT ROTATED PREMATURELY AND THE AIRCRAFT WEATHERCOCKED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT THEN TOOK THE CONTROLS OF THE AIRCRAFT BUT BY THEN IT WAS POINTED 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY WITH A FIFTY FOOT TREE STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE PILOT PULLED UP TO AVOID THE TREE AND THE AIRCRAFT THEN MUSHED ONTO THE GROUND WHERE IT IMPACTED A BARN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3258H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3883
- Airframe hours: 1525
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jolly Dawson
- Registered owner: Jolly Dawson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 11, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: SCOTT MILLS, OR
- Airport: Gaub'S Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: right; flight hours: 123 total, 43 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19870405008399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870405008399A), Apr 5, 1987: Univar 415C, Scott Mills, OR, Destroyed. The aircraft rotated early, stalled and hit a barn. The non CFI pilot was letting a student fly the 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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