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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 21, 1996 · Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-C · N3607H

Cambridge, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cambridge, IL
Aircraft
Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-C
Tail Number
N3607H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA311

The pilot reported the airplane encountered a downdraft during the landing which caused the airplane to descend to terrain impact.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the downdraft reported by the pilot.

Full Narrative

On August 20, 1996, at 2010 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N3607H, operated by a private pilot, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while landing at a private airstrip in Cambridge, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight originated from the private airstrip at 1940 cdt. The pilot stated that during the landing the airplane encountered a downdraft causing it to collide with the terrain. Winds reported at Moline, Illinois (20 miles northeast of the accident site) were calm. The pilot has not returned a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 to this office as of the completion of this report.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:10 CDT
Nearest AirportBoyd Wheatley'S Farm Arpt (0nm)
Runway0
Runway Length1750 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftErcoupe Eng & Research 415-C
Tail NumberN3607H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · AC-75 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data