Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

June 4, 2000 · Ercoupe 415-C · N3232H

Joliet, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 4, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Joliet, IL
Aircraft
Ercoupe 415-C
Tail Number
N3232H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI00LA162

The aircraft lost engine power on initial climb following a touch and go. The aircraft was landed on the remaining runway but went off the end and came to rest in a ditch. The pilot said that, at approximately 100 feet above ground level, the engine '... suddenly stopped running.' An instruction manual for the aircraft states that, 'when the throttle is fully closed, carburetor air heat is applied automatically through a linkage connected with the throttle arm. From half throttle to full throttle, cold air is fed automatically to the engine. However, a manual control is also provided and can be used to keep hot air feeding to the carburetor at more than half throttle setting when icing conditions prevail.' A postaccident examination of the aircraft and engine failed to reveal any preexisting anomalies. A weather report for the accident airport reported a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius and a dewpoint of 14 degrees Celsius. A carburetor icing probability chart from Transport Canada indicates that a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, and a dewpoint of 14 degrees Celsius is in the range of serious carburetor icing potential at any power setting. A Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular states that, 'the effect of throttle icing is a progressive decline in the power delivered by the engine.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the engine failure for undetermined reasons. Factors were the low altitude, remedial action not possible by the pilot, and the ditch.

Full Narrative

On June 4, 2000, at 0942 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an overrun following a loss of engine power on initial climb from runway 12 (2,940 feet by 100 feet, wet asphalt) at the Joliet Regional Airport, Joliet, Illinois. The aircraft was performing touch and go landings at the time of the accident. The pilot and his one passenger reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not on a flight plan. The local flight originated at 0900. In a written statement, the pilot said that he had just performed a touch and go and was on initial climb out, at approximately 100 feet above ground level, when the engine "... suddenly stopped running." The pilot said that there was only "... enough alt[itude] and time to try and land on the runway." The pilot said that they landed on the runway with approximately 100 feet of runway remaining. The aircraft went off the end of the runway and came to rest in a ditch approximately 200 feet from the departure end of the runway. An instruction manual for the aircraft states that, "when the throttle is fully closed, carburetor air heat is applied automatically through a linkage connected with the throttle arm. From half throttle to full throttle, cold air is fed automatically to the engine. However, a manual control is also provided and can be used to keep hot air feeding to the carburetor at more than half throttle setting when icing conditions prevail." A copy of the instruction manual is appended to this report. A postaccident examination of the aircraft and engine failed to reveal any anomalies that could be associated with a preexisting condition. A weather report for the accident airport reported, approximately 40 minutes after the accident, a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, and the dewpoint of 14 degrees Celsius. A carburetor icing probability chart from Transport Canada indicates that a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, and a dewpoint of 14 degrees Celsius is in the range of serious carburetor icing potential at any power setting. Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular (AC) 20-113 states that, "the effect of throttle icing is a progressive decline in the power delivered by the engine."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:42 CDT
Nearest AirportJoliet Regional Airport (0nm N)
Runway12
Runway Length2940 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftErcoupe 415-C
Tail NumberN3232H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-75 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:18
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data