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NTSB Report
May 13, 1989 · Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-C · N99766
Troy, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 13, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Troy, NC
Aircraft
Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-C
Tail Number
N99766
Operator
Morgan Kenneth H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89LA146
AFTER A LOW PASS OVER AN OPEN FIELD, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, CRASHED & BEGAN BURNING. ONE WITNESS NOTED THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED THE AREA 2 OR 3 TIMES AT LOW ALT BEFORE THE ACDNT & THAT THE ENG WAS RUNNING ERRATICALLY. THE WITNESS ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WERE SVRL OPEN FIELDS IN THE VICINITY. AN EXAM REVEALED THE IGNITION SYS WIRES TO THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DETERIORATED. NO OTHER PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACDNT; HOWEVER, THE ENG WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPN WAS ON 11/14/83; FLT TIME SINCE THEN WAS ABOUT 13 HRS. THE PLT WAS AN IA-RATED MECHANIC, WHO HAD BEEN HIRED BY THE NEW OWNER TO RETURN THE ACFT TO AN AIRWORTHY STATUS AND FERRY IT TO ANOTHER ARPT.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN UNDETERMINED POWERPLANT PROBLEM, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND THE PILOT/MECHANIC'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PROPERLY INSPECTED BEFORE FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S DELAY IN MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, AND OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) IN THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AREA.
Full Narrative
AFTER A LOW PASS OVER AN OPEN FIELD, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, CRASHED & BEGAN BURNING. ONE WITNESS NOTED THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED THE AREA 2 OR 3 TIMES AT LOW ALT BEFORE THE ACDNT & THAT THE ENG WAS RUNNING ERRATICALLY. THE WITNESS ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WERE SVRL OPEN FIELDS IN THE VICINITY. AN EXAM REVEALED THE IGNITION SYS WIRES TO THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DETERIORATED. NO OTHER PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACDNT; HOWEVER, THE ENG WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPN WAS ON 11/14/83; FLT TIME SINCE THEN WAS ABOUT 13 HRS. THE PLT WAS AN IA-RATED MECHANIC, WHO HAD BEEN HIRED BY THE NEW OWNER TO RETURN THE ACFT TO AN AIRWORTHY STATUS AND FERRY IT TO ANOTHER ARPT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftErcoupe Eng & Research 415-C
Tail NumberN99766
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMorgan Kenneth H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-75-12 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC