N87172

Substantial
None

ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415-CS/N: 345

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
NTSB Number
ERA13CA155
Location
Newnan, GA
Event ID
20130306X12338
Coordinates
33.306945, -84.768608
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 proper visual lookout during taxi operations, which resulted in a collision with a parked airplane.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N87172
Make
ENGINEERING & RESEARCH
Serial Number
345
Year Built
1946
Model / ICAO
ERCOUPE 415-C

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
NONE
Status
Deregistered
City
XXX
State / Zip Code
OK 73125
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, after landing he taxied the airplane to the general aviation tie down area on the airport. The pilot stated that he normally taxis the airplane through the open space between the second and third tie down rows on the ramp. The pilot's normal tie down space was occupied and he initiated a 180 degree turn to exit the row for an alternate tie down location. The pilot stated that during the turn, he misjudged the space needed to safely execute the maneuver and struck a parked airplane with his airplane's right wing tip. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the right wing trailing edge section main spar attachment point, buckling of the right wing flap, and right wing tip. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA155