Ercoupe 415-C N3044H

Summary

On 18 July 2021 at about 14:55 local time, a Ercoupe 415-C registered N3044H was involved in an accident near Frostproof, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 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

18 July 2021 at 14:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Frostproof, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Lake Clinch Airpark (52FL)

Coordinates

27.7501, -81.5591

Aircraft

Ercoupe 415-C

Registration

N3044H

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

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

ERA21LA293

3 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff as a result of a child reaching for and manipulating the flight controls.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was going to take his grandson and great grandson on a flight around the airport. He stated that the great grandson was sitting on the lap of his grandson. During takeoff, as the airplane was lifting off the runway, the great grandson reached for the controls, turned them to the right, and pulled back. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right, exited the runway, and struck a fence. During the accident sequence, the fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.