Pilot Debrief

ERCOUPE 415-D near Sebring, FL — 2008-12-13

Final reportERA09FA087
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Date
2008-12-13
Location
Sebring, FL, USA
Aircraft
ERCOUPE 415-D
Registration
N99154
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the design stress limitations of the airplane.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the accident airplane as it performed a low-level, local flight in the vicinity of the passenger's home. The witnesses reported that the airplane entered a high-speed dive before pulling up and rolling steeply left. One of the witnesses reported that both ailerons were "fluttering" just before both wings separated from the fuselage and the airplane broke up. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the wing spar failed in overload at its center, in an aft and downward direction. Though a hole not specified in the design of the airplane was present at the point where the separation of the spar began, its effect on the preaccident structural strength of the spar could not be determined. No corrosion or evidence of a fatigue failure was observed in the vicinity of the initial separation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after observing abnormal engine sounds.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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