Casualties unknown

1995-03-31: Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C (N99248) — Bridgeton, NJ

Bridgeton, NJ, US

On March 31, 1995, an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C (registration N99248) was involved in an aviation accident near Bridgeton, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. A factor in the accident was the suddenly changing wind condition. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that during landing on an uncontrolled grass strip, the airplane landed hard, bounced twice, and the nose gear collapsed, causing the airplane to nose down. The pilot noted a tailwind after the accident.

Accident Description

The pilot reported that during a landing on an uncontrolled grass strip, the airplane touched down hard, causing it to bounce twice. The nose gear subsequently collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop in a nose-down attitude.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that during the initial touchdown, he felt the airplane accelerate. He reported overflying the airport to check the windsock prior to landing, which indicated calm wind. However, after the accident, the windsock was standing straight out. The pilot noted that the wind direction would have given the airplane a tailwind during the landing. The pilot also reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

Wind Conditions

While the windsock initially indicated calm wind before landing, the pilot observed after the accident that the windsock was fully extended, indicating a significant wind. The pilot stated that the wind direction would have resulted in a tailwind during the landing, which may have contributed to the hard landing and subsequent bounce.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03087. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.