Ercoupe 415-C, N87405: Accident occurred January 13, 2016 in Chappell, Deuel County, Nebraska

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA105 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, January 13, 2016 in Chappell, NE
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/05/2016
Aircraft: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415, registration: N87405
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll with gusting wind, the right wing "lifted up sharply." He reported that at full power he attempted to rotate, the airplane departed the runway to the right, and the left wing impacted a snow bank. When the left wing impacted the snow bank, he reported that the airplane "swung" back to the left, and came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 

The pilot stated that the airplane is a "standard Ercoupe, with integrated nose-wheel steering, rudder and aileron, and no toe brakes." The pilot additionally stated that, "once the right wing lifted, it didn't matter what I did, the aircraft was going to go off the runway to the right" and that, "without rudder pedals and independent aileron authority to work a crosswind, it was not going to happen."

The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's inability to correct for a crosswind during the takeoff roll due to the interlinked flight control design, which resulted in a runway excursion, and a collision with terrain.

http://registry.faa.gov/N87405 

FAA Flight Standards District Office:  FAA Lincoln FSDO-65