# NTSB WPR14CA301: Ercoupe 415 C, N99621, Hubbart, OR, July 19, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 19, 2014, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Hubbart, OR - Coordinates: 45.171665, -122.757499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1717&lon=-122.7575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89697 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA301 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89697/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89697 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA301 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and proper alignment during approach for landing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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-C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the wind was gusting during the descent and approach to landing. He further stated that the gusting winds moved the airplane to the right resulting in the collision with trees with the right wing. The airplane subsequently collided with more trees and came to rest in a nose down position. During the accident sequence, both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the wind was gusting during the descent and approach to landing. He further stated that the gusting winds moved the airplane to the right resulting in the collision with trees with the right wing. The airplane subsequently collided with more trees and came to rest in a nose down position. During the accident sequence, both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99621](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99621-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 2244, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415 C (C) - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2244 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2373 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C75 SERIES 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Teneyck Robert R - Registered owner: Teneyck Robert R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 4S9, PORTLAND-MULINO, OR - Destination: 7S9, HUBBARD, OR - Airport: 7S9, Lenhardt Airpark, runway 02, 2,956 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 714 total, 714 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KUAO, 5 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 20140719011939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140719011939A), Jul 19, 2014: Ercoupe 415-C, Hubbard, OR, Substantial damage. At approximately 10:30 am local time, Saturday, July 19, 2014, Ercoupe 415C, N99621, impacted trees approximately 1/4 mile south of runway 02, lenhardt airpark… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89697. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416730&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 297 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – View of Main Wreckage From Front (Photo Courtesy of Local Law Enforcement) (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Front%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Local%20Law%20Enforcement)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of the Main Wreckage From Right (Photo Courtesy of Local Law Enforcement) (item 4, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416733&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Right%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Local%20Law%20Enforcement)%0D%0A-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.