Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C N93911

Summary

On 16 June 2006 at about 00:00 local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C registered N93911 was involved in an accident near Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 June 2006 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Frank Field Airport (VA52)

Coordinates

38.4850, -78.9453

Aircraft

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C

Registration

N93911

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Harrisonburg → Staunton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC06CA211

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper engine starting procedure, resulting in an uncontrolled taxi, and collision with trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, after arriving at his destination airport and shutting off the airplane, he discovered that the "battery was too light" to start the engine again. After shutting off the fuel, he then attempted to hand start the airplane. He was able to start the engine, however; it "revved well beyond what was normal." He expected the engine to stall out, but it did not and the airplane moved forward, rolled down a steep embankment and struck trees, substantially damaging the airplane. According to FAA publication FAA-P-8740-20, "No one should attempt to start an aircraft engine without a qualified person at the cockpit controls."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.