Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D accident near Pacoima, CA
On March 15, 1997, an Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D (airplane) was involved in an accident near Pacoima, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 15, 1997
- Place
- Pacoima, CA
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.249°N, 118.410°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07566
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 15, 1997, at 1448 hours Pacific standard time, an Ercoupe 415 D, N3030H, operated by the pilot, was destroyed during an emergency landing approach at Pacoima, California. The pilot succumbed to his injuries while in the hospital, and the passenger was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at 1445 from Pacoima, and was destined for Oakland, California. According to air traffic control tower personnel, the pilot requested a downwind departure from runway 12. When the aircraft was abeam of the tower north, the pilot stated "we've got an emergency, we need to land." Tower personnel cleared the pilot to land on any runway, and noticed black smoke trailing from the aircraft as it started to turn base leg for runway 12. According to the control tower chief, the pilot flew the downwind leg about 1,700 to 1,800 feet msl. The normal pattern altitude is 2,000 feet msl. The quality of the aircraft radio remained good throughout the emergency. As the aircraft turned downwind to base, it continued into a descending left spiral to impact. According to the tower chief, the pilot remained composed and, as a result, he assumed it to be a routine or non-life threatening emergency, and immediately alerted the airport personnel. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot's logbook was recovered from the wreckage. According to the fire damaged logbook, he had accumulated about 428 hours of flight time. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The aircraft was certificated on September 26, 1946. On Septe
Probable cause
improper maintenance/installation of electrical wiring, the lack of circuit protection, and subsequent in-flight electrical fire.
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Browse: California · Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
