N3263HErcoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C 1997-04-09 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
None

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C S/N: 3888

Summary

On April 09, 1997, a Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C (N3263H) was involved in an incident near Bushnell, FL. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: 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.

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".

This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA97LA132. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3263H.

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, April 9, 1997
NTSB Number
MIA97LA132
Location
BUSHNELL, FL
Event ID
20001208X07786
Coordinates
28.660699, -82.109909
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

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

Registration
Make
ERCOUPE (ENG & RESEARCH CORP.)
Serial Number
3888
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1946
Model / ICAO
415-C ERCO
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
821 W LOUISE AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
MORRISTOWN
State / Zip Code
TN 37813-2094
Country
United States

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