# NTSB SEA92LA039: Ercoupe 415-C, N86964, Hansville, WA, January 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1992, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Hansville, WA
- Coordinates: 47.910087, -122.570571 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9101&lon=-122.5706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA039

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT WHO WAS NOT QUALIFIED TO CONDUCT THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A VFR X COUNTRY FLT WITH NO WX BRIEFING AND FLEW AN AREA OF ADVERSE WX CONDITIONS. HE DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUCTOR ENDORSEMENT FOR THE FLT.  THE ACFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT THE DESTINATION AND A SEARCH WAS INITIATED.  THE PILOT AND ACFT LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WERE LOCATED ON A BEACH ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT.  THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE WATERS OF PUGET SOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86964](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86964-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 137, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 137
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William N. Hall
- Registered owner: William N. Hall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1991
- Departed: S13, ALDERWOOD MANOR, WA
- Destination: WN41, SEQUIM, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 164 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWT, 30 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 19920114000589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920114000589A), Jan 14, 1992: Univar 415C, Hansville, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Became missing after departing into low ceiling and visibility. Crashed into puget sound. Wreckage found on beach.

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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