Pilot Debrief

ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415-C near Ontario, OR — 2024-05-21

Final reportWPR24LA158
Sign in to save
Date
2024-05-21
Location
Ontario, OR, USA
Airport
ONO
Aircraft
ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415-C
Registration
N99577
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot’s unstable approach to landing, which resulted in a collision with approach lighting, hard landing, and postimpact fire.

NTSB narrative

The accident flight was the non-certificated pilot's first flight in the airplane, which the pilot had recently purchased and taken possession of on the day of the accident. The airplane was on a steep approach as the pilot attempted to land and hit an approach light short of the runway threshold. The airplane then bounced and struck another set of lights before landing hard on the runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on the runway and a postimpact fire ensued. A witness who arrived at the scene of the accident stated that the pilot told him that he had misjudged the landing. A witness reported that the pilot conducted a steep approach to land, consistent with an unstable approach. The airplane was not available for examination following the accident, and whether a mechanical anomaly contributed to the accident could not be determined. The investigation was unable to determine the extent of the non-certificated pilot’s previous flight experience or whether the pilot had received any formal or informal flight instruction.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

Related mishaps