Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
an in-flight collision with trees while maneuvering, which was the result of the pilot not allowing adequate altitude to clear the trees before starting a turn.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 31, 2000, about 1845 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N2589H, registered to a private individual impacted with trees while maneuvering near Stockbridge, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight. The airplane received substantial damage. The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries. The airplane had departed the Berry Hill Airport, Stockbridge, Georgia, about 1830.
The airplane was seen flying low over a private airstrip at an altitude of 3 to 4 feet above the ground. At the end of the airstrip the airplane pulled up, banked to the right (west), and the right wing tip struck a tree. The airplane traveled about 1,500 feet and came to rest in a tree.
The pilot stated he was going "to practice landing approaches." He was on the second practice approach to runway 9, and according to the statement in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, "...about two-thirds of the distance down runway 9, on this approach, he [pilot] pulled up, banked right, and his right wing hit the top of a pine tree. The plane crashed in the trees on the west side of runway 33."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA00LA180