# NTSB WPR09CA126: Ercoupe 415-E, N94805, Camas, WA, February 19, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 19, 2009, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Camas, WA - Coordinates: 45.627777, -122.404167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6278&lon=-122.4042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73380 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73380/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=0420328), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0420328), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0420328), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0420328), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to practice landings. While maneuvering on a normal traffic pattern to the runway, he noted that the airplane was higher and faster than he was accustomed to. The pilot recalled that he flared too high resulting in the airplane landing hard. Following the touchdown, the airplane bounced and landed hard again. The airplane sustained damage to the firewall. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the student pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings. While maneuvering on a normal traffic pattern to the runway, he noted that the airplane was higher and faster than he was accustomed to. The pilot recalled that he flared too high resulting in the airplane landing hard. Following the touchdown, the airplane bounced and landed hard again. The airplane sustained damage to the firewall. In the section titled "RECOMMENDATION" in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that accident may have been prevented if he had his instructor fly with him again. The pilot further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94805](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94805), registered now, S/N 4918, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe 415-E - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-E](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-e) (registry code 0420328) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4918 - Airframe hours: 2307 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 2008, 10 hours before - Departed: 1W1, Camas, WA - Destination: 1W1, Camas, WA - Airport: 1W1, Grove Field Airport, runway 25, 2,710 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 20090219002349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090219002349A), Feb 19, 2009: Univar 415E, Camas, WA, Substantial damage. Student pilot ([privacy data omitted]), with solo authorization, was practicing landings at his home base field, [privacy data omitted]. Pilot reported light… 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.