Ercoupe 415-C N94339

Summary

On 13 August 2008 at about 18:15 local time, a Ercoupe 415-C registered N94339 was involved in an accident near Arcaida, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 August 2008 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Arcaida, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Private, Southern Dreams Ranch (N/A)

Coordinates

27.2067, -81.8086

Aircraft

Ercoupe 415-C

Registration

N94339

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Arcaida → Venice

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA08LA164

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper climb rate after takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness observed the airplane depart toward the west from the 1,200-foot-long grass strip. During the takeoff the witness observed the airplane encounter what he believed to be a downdraft, causing it to lose altitude. The airplane seemed to reestablish the climb when it impacted an oak tree that was located about 50 feet past and 20 feet left of the runway. The airplane impacted several trees before impacting the ground inverted. The wreckage examination revealed no abnormalities or discrepancies that would have prevented the airplane and its systems from normal flight operations. The nearest weather reporting station was located 23 miles southwest from the accident location. The recorded temperature during the time of the accident was 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) and the wind was reported from 250 degrees at 13 knots. The autopsy report noted evidence of moderate to severe coronary artery disease and a prior heart attack. The toxicology results were consistent with the recent use of an anti-acid medication, available over the counter. The medication was unlikely to have adversely affected the pilot’s performance. Postmortem toxicology could not determine whether the pilot’s heart disease or the symptoms for which he was taking medication were related to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.