Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-D N2777H

Summary

On 22 April 1998 at about 22:15 local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-D registered N2777H was involved in an accident near Colstrip, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 April 1998 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Colstrip, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Colstrip (M46)

Coordinates

45.9804, -106.6700

Aircraft

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-D

Registration

N2777H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA98LA066

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's operation of the aircraft above maximum gross weight, resulting in her inability to attain a sustained climb rate after becoming airborne. A factor was high density altitude conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that on takeoff, immediately after becoming airborne, the airplane banked left and 'I fought for control.' The pilot reported the airplane then 'apparently veered to the north of the runway', then 'seemed to begin to climb [and] then we were down.' The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest about halfway down the runway, to the north (right side) of the runway. Based on aircraft, occupant and fuel weights reported by the pilot, the airplane was computed to be approximately 52.5 pounds (4%) above maximum gross weight at takeoff. Based on reported temperature of 72 degrees F and field elevation of 3,426 feet, density altitude was estimated at approximately 5,000 feet at the time. At this combination of pressure altitude and temperature, the airplane's Continental C75 engine is capable of producing approximately 65 brake horsepower (BHP), approximately 13% less than its sea-level rating of 75 BHP.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.