N93990

On August 26, 2000, about 0730 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N93990, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with a fence post and terrain while landing at a private airstrip near Parsons, Kansas. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Chanute Martin Johnson Airport, near Chanute, Kansas at 0715 and was landing at the time of the accident.

The pilot said, "We turned final and picked my spot for touch down, I.A.S. was 80 m.p.h., final was looking good-lined up on strip good just ahead of runway the airplane just sunk. We had passed over a gravel road about 20' ahead of the strip, but don't really know if that is what effected the plane. We hit the tallest gate post, which is approx. 10 feet from end of runway. The airplane hit the ground and did a 180[degree] turn." The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction. The pilot listed substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, main gear, nose gear, nose bowl, and propeller. The pilot's safety recommendation was to "avoid short strips from now on except in emergency situation."