Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout and altitu de while on final approach to landing resulting in an in-flight collision with a fence and subsequent collision with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 9, 1997, about 1100 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N3263H, registered to a private owner, crashed on a private grass strip in the vicinity of Bushnell, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The flight was local and no flight plan was filed.
On final approach for landing, the airplane struck a barbed wire fence with the nose gear, bending it rearward, and collided with the ground, skidding to a stop. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was "little too low" and "misjudged sink rate".
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA97LA132