Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415D N980DD
14 July 1991 · Sacramento, Kentucky, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 14 July 1991 at about 15:30 local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415D registered N980DD, operated by Robert Hall, JR, was involved in an accident near Sacramento, Kentucky, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Sacramento, Kentucky, United States
- Nearest airport
- Kentucky Dam State Park (M34)
- Coordinates
- 37.4092, -87.2600
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415D
- Registration
- N980DD
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Robert Hall, JR
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Gilbertsville → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC91LA181
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONDUCT FLIGHT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY THAT ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE AERODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED ENGINE VIBRATIONS WHILE ENROUTE TO NEW ALBANY, KENTUCKY, SO HE MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD. DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT STRUCK CORN STALKS NEXT TO THE ROAD. THE DAMAGE CONSISTED OF A BROKEN LANDING LIGHT LENS CAUSING A HOLE IN THE LEFT LEADING EDGE OF THE WING. THE PILOT INSPECTED THE WING AND WITHOUT REPLACING THE LENS, HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF. ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT MADE AN UNCOMMANDED LEFT TURN. DESPITE CORRECTIVE ACTION THE AIRCRAFT TURNED 270 DEGREES, STRUCK THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Apr 1991 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C | Green Cove Spgs, Florida, United States | Copelin, Wallace LEE | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 1991 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C | Sparta, Michigan, United States | James R. Reeds | No injuries | - |
| 3 Feb 1991 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C | Pixley, California, United States | Bill Tyson | No injuries | - |
| 9 Feb 1991 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C | Gastonia, North Carolina, United States | Haigler, Gragel L. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Aug 1991 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C | Anaconda, Montana, United States | Walter J. Smith | No injuries | - |
| 5 May 1991 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C | King City, California, United States | Donald W. Woollard | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Apr 1991 | Beechcraft P35 | Gilbertsville, Kentucky, United States | Roger Hodges | No injuries | - |
| 9 Apr 1991 | Cessna 172H | Morehead, Kentucky, United States | Roger Wend | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 May 1991 | Aerospace Tech of Australia N22B | Richardsville, Kentucky, United States | S.c. Johnson & Son | No injuries | - |
| 25 Jul 1991 | Cessna 177RG | Ashland, Kentucky, United States | National Aviation Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 29 Sep 1991 | Cessna 172 | Grayson, Kentucky, United States | William G. Stevens | Serious injuries | - |
| 19 Oct 1991 | Cessna 177B | London, Kentucky, United States | Aerotech Inc | No injuries | - |