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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 13, 2001 · Ercoupe 415-C · N93504

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 13, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Ercoupe 415-C
Tail Number
N93504
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW01LA077

The pilot was executing touch-and-go landings when he misjudged the turn from the downwind leg to the base leg, which resulted in a premature descent. The pilot stated that he should have executed a go-around; however, he elected to continue toward the runway. Subsequently, the airplane's altitude on the final approach leg was low and the left wing contacted trees. The airplane then entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to execute a go-around after becoming low on a visual approach.

Full Narrative

On March 13, 2001, at 1145 central standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C airplane, N93504, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during final approach to the Clover Field Airport, Houston, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Clover Field Airport at 1130. According to the pilot, he was executing touch-and-go landings to runway 14R. He reported that he misjudged the turn from the downwind leg to the base leg, which resulted in a premature descent. He stated that he should have executed a go-around; however, he elected to continue toward the runway. Subsequently, the airplane's altitude on the final approach leg was low and the left wing contacted trees. The airplane then entered a descent and impacted the ground. Witnesses verified that the airplane was executing touch-and-go landings to runway 14R. One witness reported that he observed the airplane on final approach and it "looked different" than it had on previous approaches. They observed the airplane "bank steeply to the left" and, subsequently, impact the ground. According to FAA inspectors, who examined the airplane at the accident site, both wings were bent aft. The right wing's skin separated from the leading edge aft, which exposed the main wing spar. They added that the fuselage, empennage, and tail structure sustained structural damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 CST
Nearest AirportClover Field (0nm)
Runway14R
Runway Length4302 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftErcoupe 415-C
Tail NumberN93504
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data