# NTSB SEA91LA033: Erco 415-C, N3522H, Ola, ID, December 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1990, 19:00 local (Dec 8, 1990, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Ola, ID
- Coordinates: 44.270507, -116.310752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2705&lon=-116.3108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA033

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR TERRAIN CLEARANCE. ALSO CAUSAL WAS THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO ALCOHOL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION AND THE HILLY TERRAIN.

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND INVERTED ON THE SIDE OF A HILL APPROXIMATELY 1,290 FT FROM A LARGE TREE WITH A BROKEN BRANCH. WITNESSES BELIEVE THAT THEY SAW THE AIRPLANE AT DUSK IN THE VICINITY OF OLA. A BOTTLE OF VODKA, 1/4 TO 1/3 FULL, WAS FOUND AT THE WRECKAGE SITE. THE PILOT'S ETHANOL LEVEL IN BOTH VITREOUS FLUIDS AND LUNG TISSUE WAS 0.23%.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, other
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3522H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3522H-2012-10-04), registration cancelled 2012-10-04, S/N 4147, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 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: 4147
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary L. Young
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: S67, NAMPA, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 219 total, 11 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOI, 40 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 19901207065039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901207065039A), Dec 7, 1990: Univar 415C, Ola, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into side of a hill at night. Pilot was intoxicated.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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