# NTSB WPR10LA411: Ercoupe 415, N2368H, Leavenworth, WA, August 18, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 2010, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Leavenworth, WA - Coordinates: 47.819442, -120.719718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8194&lon=-120.7197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Spokane FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA411 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77005/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77005 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA411 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately evaluate the airport and its environment in relation to the aircraft’s performance, which resulted in the airplane's failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear trees during the initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he made a short-field takeoff with an approximate 5 mile-per-hour headwind. Shortly after liftoff, he realized that, even with the best angle of climb speed, the airplane would have difficulty clearing trees at the end of the runway. The pilot continued the climbout and turned the airplane slightly to the right and the airplane collided with the top 10 feet of trees surrounding the airport. The pilot stated that, in retrospect, he might have taken off downwind to the east where there was more room, used a different airport, or maintained a faster airspeed. A witness noted that the turf field appeared to be bumpy and the takeoff roll was longer than he expected. He did not have the impression that the airplane had engine issues or entered into a stall after becoming airborne. The pilot also reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 2010, about 1015 Pacific daylight time, an Ercoupe 415C, N2368H, collided with trees during takeoff from Lake Wenatchee State Airport, Leavenworth, Washington. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage from impact forces. The cross-country personal flight was en route to Auburn, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he made a short field takeoff to the west with an approximate 5-mile-per-hour (mph) headwind. Shortly after liftoff, he realized that the airplane would have difficulty clearing trees at the end of the runway, and considered aborting the takeoff. However, he decided that not enough runway length remained to do so, and continued the takeoff and climb at what he believed was the best angle of climb speed. The airplane did not stall, but the pilot stated that the speed might have gotten below the best angle of climb speed. He turned the airplane slightly to the right, but the airplane collided with the top 10 feet of trees surrounding the airport. The pilot stated that he lost consciousness, and his legs were numb when he awoke. The passenger was able to evacuate herself from the airplane, and called for emergency service. The pilot stated that, in retrospect, he might have taken off downwind to the east where there was more room, used a different airport, or maintained a faster airspeed. The pilot also reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. A witness, who held a pilot certificate, but had not flown for 30 years, stated that he drove the pilot and passenger to the airplane. He observed the pilot taxi the airplane to the end of the runway, and perform a run up. The engine sounded fine and smooth. The airplane taxied into position on runway 27, and the airplane appeared to stay stationary as the pilot added power. The airplane then started forward. The witness noted that while the airplane taxied to the runway, there was no wind. During the takeoff, he noted a very slight crosswind. The turf field appeared to be bumpy, and the airplane kicked up dirt as it progressed down the runway. The takeoff roll was longer than he expected. After liftoff, the airplane did not appear to be climbing, and drifted to the right while remaining in a wings level attitude. There were no sudden movements, and it started a shallow climb. He lost sight of the airplane behind trees, and heard a loud sound about 2 seconds later. He did not have the impression that the airplane had engine issues, or stalled after getting airborne. When the witness arrived at the wreckage, the passenger was standing beside the airplane. He instructed the pilot to turn off the ignition switch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2368H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2368H-2018-01-16), registration cancelled 2018-01-16, S/N 2993, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2993 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C85 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven Lewis - Registered owner: Steven Lewis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 27W, Leavenworth, WA - Destination: S50, Auburn, WA - Airport: 27W, Lake Wenatchee State, runway 27, 2,473 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 20, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,060 total, 950 in this make and model, 1,060 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KEAT, 33 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 20100818041489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100818041489A), Aug 18, 2010: Engineering ERCOUPE 415, Leavenworth, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot and passenger departed 27W westbound at about 1010 on August 18, 2010. Witness (a pilot who dropped the occupants off at the airstrip) said he watched… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77005. 605 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 561 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.