Pilot Debrief

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C near Sebring, FL — 2008-08-29

Final reportNYC08CA297
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Date
2008-08-29
Location
Sebring, FL, USA
Airport
SEF
Aircraft
Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
Registration
N87376
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A bird strike which substantially damaged the propeller and required the engine to be secured. Contributing to the accident was the damaged propeller.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the Ercoupe 415-C stated that while on climb out at approximately 1,300 feet, he noticed wood pieces and feathers coming into the cockpit through the open canopy, and "an extreme vibration ensued throughout the airplane." The pilot shut down the engine, and performed an emergency landing in a pasture. The airplane subsequently impacted a shallow ditch that was obscured by tall grass. The nose gear collapsed, the right wing spar bent aft, and the firewall buckled. The airplane was equipped with a two blade Sensenich wooden propeller; after the accident the pilot reported that "one blade was splintered." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the event, which was determined to be a bird strike.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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