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NTSB Report
April 9, 1990 · Ercoupe Eng & Research 415CD · N3504H
Hereford, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hereford, TX
Aircraft
Ercoupe Eng & Research 415CD
Tail Number
N3504H
Operator
Clyde David N
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW90FA092
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE LOW AND MOVING VERY SLOW WHEN THE NOSE PITCHED STRAIGHT DOWN AND CONTINUED IN THAT ATTITUDE TO IMPACT IN A NEAR VERITCAL ATTITUDE. AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE OCCURRED AFTER IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE WAS 22 POUNDS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS AT THE MOST AFT LIMIT. THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT TESTED POSITIVE FOR DIAZEPAM, NORDIAZEPAM, FENFLURAMINE, AND DIPHENHYDRAMINE. ACCORDING TO THE REGIONAL FLIGHT SURGEON'S OFFICE THESE DRUGS 'MAY HAVE INFLUENCED THE CEREBRATION REFLEX AND THE FUNCTION OF OPERATION MAY HAVE BEEN SLOWED, ALTERING JUDGMENT, AND COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.' IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT EXCEEDED BY THE PILOT, THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO DRUGS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE LOW AND MOVING VERY SLOW WHEN THE NOSE PITCHED STRAIGHT DOWN AND CONTINUED IN THAT ATTITUDE TO IMPACT IN A NEAR VERITCAL ATTITUDE. AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE OCCURRED AFTER IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE WAS 22 POUNDS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS AT THE MOST AFT LIMIT. THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT TESTED POSITIVE FOR DIAZEPAM, NORDIAZEPAM, FENFLURAMINE, AND DIPHENHYDRAMINE. ACCORDING TO THE REGIONAL FLIGHT SURGEON'S OFFICE THESE DRUGS 'MAY HAVE INFLUENCED THE CEREBRATION REFLEX AND THE FUNCTION OF OPERATION MAY HAVE BEEN SLOWED, ALTERING JUDGMENT, AND COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.' IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 CDT
Nearest AirportHEREFORD (0nm N)
Runway21
Runway Length5378 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftErcoupe Eng & Research 415CD
Tail NumberN3504H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorClyde David N
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 21 kt, gusting 27 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT