# NTSB SEA93LA098: Ercoupe 415-C, N94142, Helena, MT, April 17, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1993, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Helena, MT
- Location: 46.5955° N, 112.0187° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Helena, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5955&lon=-112.0187&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43013
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43013/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA098

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE LOOKOUT BY THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM ELECTRICAL WIRES.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PRESENCE OF ELECTRICAL WIRES NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLEW A VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING AT A FAMILIAR GRAVEL AIRSTRIP.  THE ACFT STRUCK ELECTRICAL WIRES NEAR THE END OF THE STRIP DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94142](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94142-2003-04-22), registration cancelled 2003-04-22, S/N 1465, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1465
- Airframe hours: 1794
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wilhelm, Clayton D.
- Registered owner: Wilhelm, Clayton D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1993
- Airport: NONE, Wilhelms, runway 36, 5,280 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 84 in this make and model, 46 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HLN, 7 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 19930417012499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930417012499A), Apr 17, 1993: Univar 415C, Helena, MT, Destroyed. Too low on final. Struck wires 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.