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NTSB Report
September 18, 1985 · Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-C · N93848
Orchards, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 18, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Orchards, WA
Aircraft
Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-C
Tail Number
N93848
Operator
John R Stauffer
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA85FA217
THE PVT PLT WAS OBSERVED EXECUTING A WINGS LEVEL PULL-UP FROM A DIVE DURING WHICH, THE WITNESS REPORTED, THE WING TIPS BEGAN FLUTTERING. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, BOTH WINGS SEPARATED IN POSITIVE OVERLOAD. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT AND WINDS WERE LIGHT WITH NO REPORTED TUBULENCE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING WEAKNESS IN THE SPAR STRUCTURE AT THE SEPARATION POINT. THE CONDITION NECESSITATING THE PLT'S PULL-UP MANEUVER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Full Narrative
THE PVT PLT WAS OBSERVED EXECUTING A WINGS LEVEL PULL-UP FROM A DIVE DURING WHICH, THE WITNESS REPORTED, THE WING TIPS BEGAN FLUTTERING. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, BOTH WINGS SEPARATED IN POSITIVE OVERLOAD. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT AND WINDS WERE LIGHT WITH NO REPORTED TUBULENCE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING WEAKNESS IN THE SPAR STRUCTURE AT THE SEPARATION POINT. THE CONDITION NECESSITATING THE PLT'S PULL-UP MANEUVER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:56 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftErcoupe Eng & Research 415-C
Tail NumberN93848
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJohn R Stauffer
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 8 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:51
Weather SourceWFAC