Ercoupe 415-C N94300

Summary

On 16 May 2009 at about 18:00 local time, a Ercoupe 415-C registered N94300, operated by Smith Curtis S, was involved in an accident near Gallup, New Mexico, 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

16 May 2009 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gallup, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Gallup Municipal Airport (GUP)

Coordinates

35.5111, -108.7892

Aircraft

Ercoupe 415-C

Registration

N94300

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Smith Curtis S

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gallup → Gallup

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09CA302

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger departed in a single-engine, 85-horsepower airplane from an airport with a density altitude that was later calculated to be about 8,666 feet. When the airplane was approximately 300 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a loss of lift. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot selected a dirt road as a possible landing site; however, the airplane impacted terrain before reaching the road. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the engine revealed no pre impact anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.