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Casualties unknown

Pilot Missing After VFR Flight in Adverse Weather (N86964)

Hansville, WA, US

On January 14, 1992, an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C (registration N86964) operated by William N. Hall was involved in an aviation accident near Hansville, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight without a weather briefing or required instructor endorsement while encountering adverse weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot departed without a weather briefing or required instructor endorsement, encountering adverse conditions over Puget Sound before disappearing.

What happened

The pilot initiated a visual flight rules cross-country departure without obtaining a pre-flight weather briefing. During the transit, the aircraft entered an area of adverse weather conditions for which the pilot lacked the necessary instructor endorsement. The aircraft failed to reach its intended destination, prompting the initiation of a search operation.

Findings

Search efforts located the main landing gear and the pilot on a beach situated along the route of flight. The remainder of the wreckage was not recovered from the waters of Puget Sound. The absence of a weather briefing and the lack of proper endorsement contributed to the incident in deteriorating conditions.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight without a weather briefing or required instructor endorsement while encountering adverse weather conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Jan 1992 Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C accident near Hansville, WA?

A pilot departed without a weather briefing or required instructor endorsement, encountering adverse conditions over Puget Sound before disappearing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Jan 1992 involved an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C, registration N86964, operated by William N. Hall, at Hansville, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight without a weather briefing or required instructor endorsement while encountering adverse weather conditions.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14051. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.