Loss of Control on Ground: Ercoupe 415-C, N87173; accident occurred November 03, 2019 at The Flying Few Airport (66SC), Greer, South Carolina

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbia, South Carolina

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Old Time Aero LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N87173

Location: Greer, South Carolina

Accident Number: GAA20CA059

Date & Time: November 3, 2019, 17:43 Local

Registration: N87173

Aircraft: Ercoupe 415

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while on final approach to land on a grass runway, he was suddenly unable to see the runway clearly, which caused him to flare the airplane late. The airplane bounced and drifted left. The left landing gear touched down in tall vegetation, and the airplane veered left and impacted a fence. The pilot further reported that he was unsure what caused his inability to see the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, and impact with a fence.

Findings

Aircraft Landing flare - Not attained/maintained

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Environmental issues Fence/fence post - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Abnormal runway contact

Landing Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Landing Runway excursion

Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot

Age: 62,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None

Restraint Used: 3-point

Instrument Rating(s): None

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Sport pilot

Last FAA Medical Exam:

Occupational Pilot: No 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 8, 2019

Flight Time: (Estimated) 124.5 hours (Total, all aircraft), 101.5 hours (Total, this make and model), 33.4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 11.3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2.7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2.7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Ercoupe 

Registration: N87173

Model/Series: 415 C 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1946

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 

Serial Number: 346

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: October 17, 2019 100 hour

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 2062.8 Hrs 

Engine Manufacturer: Continental

ELT: C91A installed, not activated

Engine Model/Series: C-85

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 85 Horsepower

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held:None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KGSP,971 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 22:53 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 157°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 140°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 30.2 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / 1°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Athens, GA (AHN) 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR

Destination: Greer, SC (PVT) 

Type of Clearance: VFR; Traffic advisory

Departure Time: 16:17 Local

Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: The Flying Few PVT 

Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf

Airport Elevation: 1000 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 28 

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 1700 ft / 40 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 35.034168,-82.298889(est)