# NTSB SEA92FA061: Ercoupe 415-D, N86952, Winthrop, WA, March 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1992, 17:35 local (Mar 16, 1992, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Winthrop, WA
- Coordinates: 48.499584, -120.32962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4996&lon=-120.3296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA061

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT RESULTING IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

THE SURVIVING RIGHT SEAT PASSENGER, A PRIVATE PILOT WITH ABOUT 440 HRS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, STATED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT/ACFT OWNER WAS PERFORMING A GO-AROUND WHEN THE ACFT STALLED, TURNED LEFT, DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED, STRUCK A TREE BY THE RUNWAY, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE TOXICOLOGY REPORT ON THE STUDENT PILOT REVEALED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.191%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86952](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86952-1992-10-13), registration cancelled 1992-10-13, S/N 125 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-d) (registry code 0420326) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 125
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Johnson, Wayne L.
- Registered owner: Johnson, Wayne L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 2S0, TWISP, WA
- Airport: S52, Methow Valley State, runway 12, 5,050 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 30 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 70 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 19920315006199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920315006199A), Mar 15, 1992: Univar 415D, Winthrop, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Landed. Took off again. Pilot pulled up in steep climb to show Ercoupe cannot stall. Aircraft stalled and crashed

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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