Aviation Crash Map

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C N87169

5 July 1991 · Sparta, Michigan, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 5 July 1991 at about 22:00 local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C registered N87169, operated by James R. Reeds, was involved in an accident near Sparta, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 22:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Sparta, Michigan, United States
Nearest airport
Sparta (8D4)
Coordinates
43.1505, -85.7009
Aircraft
Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C
Registration
N87169
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
James R. Reeds
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
CHI91LA214

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
2 0 0 0 2

Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REACH A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE LOST ENGINE POWER ON DOWNWIND LEG. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE RUNWAY BUT LANDED SHORT, COLLIDING WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL SYSTEM TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
14 Jul 1991 Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415D
N980DD
Sacramento, Kentucky, United States Robert Hall, JR No injuries -
7 Apr 1991 Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C
N3025H
Green Cove Spgs, Florida, United States Copelin, Wallace LEE Minor injuries -
3 Feb 1991 Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C
N99483
Pixley, California, United States Bill Tyson No injuries -
9 Feb 1991 Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C
N3353H
Gastonia, North Carolina, United States
no coordinates
Haigler, Gragel L. No injuries -
17 Aug 1991 Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C
N2069H
Anaconda, Montana, United States Walter J. Smith No injuries -
5 May 1991 Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C
N99893
King City, California, United States Donald W. Woollard Minor injuries -

All 143 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
25 Apr 1991 Cessna 172
N66717
Detroit, Michigan, United States
no coordinates
Eximous Flying Club, Inc. No injuries -
5 May 1991 Robinson R22 BETA
N2360K
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Lutz, Robert A Minor injuries -
10 May 1991 Cessna 182L
N2432Q
Port Huron, Michigan, United States Douglas H. Mowat No injuries -
11 May 1991 Cessna 152
N69101
Pontiac, Michigan, United States Kitze Avaition, Inc. No injuries -
22 May 1991 Cessna 177
N548EC
New Lothrop, Michigan, United States Patrick J. Corcoran No injuries -
10 Oct 1991 Cessna 421B
N100CA
Battle Creek, Michigan, United States Aviation Specialist, Inc. No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States