Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) ERCO-415C N3230H

Summary

On 16 May 1998 at about 17:50 local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) ERCO-415C registered N3230H was involved in an accident near New Lisbon, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 May 1998 at 17:50

Classification

Accident

Location

New Lisbon, New York, United States

Coordinates

42.6000, -75.1990

Aircraft

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) ERCO-415C

Registration

N3230H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cooperstown → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC98FA107

2 people died.

Detonation within the No. 2 cylinder resulting in melting and breaching of the piston, and the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Contributing factors were the uphill terrain encountered during the landing and the visual perception (illusion) that the terrain was not sloped.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Approximately 20 minutes after the pilot and passenger departed on a local flight a witness heard the engine sputter then quit. The airplane then maneuvered for an open field, impacted it in a level attitude, and burst into flames. During examination of the number 2 piston, a hole from detonation approximately 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide was observed melted through the piston head (according to a FAA Advisory Curricular 65-12A, detonation can burn a hole completely through a piston). At the accident location, grass laid over on its side and spaced constant with the airplane's landing gear marked the start of the debris field. These marks were subtle and continued in the direction of the wreckage for about 12 feet. After 12 feet, the slope of the grass covered terrain increased 10 degrees and the ground scars became more pronounced. According to a New York State Police Officer, the state police helicopter crew that responded to the accident reported the crash site looked 'level' from the air. However, when measured along the debris field axis with an inclinometer, the slope was 15 degrees up.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.