On August 25, 1996, an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C (registration N94196) was involved in an aviation accident near Wausau, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, and his misjudgment of distance and speed, while attempting to minimize the effect of crossing an uneven area on the runway. The uneven runway condition was a related factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot landed twice on a private 1,800-foot turf airstrip with a gentle ravine crossing its middle. The first landing succeeded by floating over the ravine, but the second attempt resulted in aircraft damage due to insufficient airspeed.
Event Details
A pilot conducted two flights at a private turf airstrip measuring 1,800 feet in length. The airstrip featured a gentle ravine that crossed perpendicularly at its midpoint.
First Landing
During the initial landing, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane before reaching the ravine. He responded by adding power to "float" over the ravine, subsequently completing a successful landing on the far side.
Second Flight and Landing
After the first landing, the pilot took off for a second local flight. Upon returning, he attempted another landing. Again, he could not stop before reaching the ravine. He applied power to fly over the ravine but did not achieve sufficient airspeed to become airborne. As the airplane crossed the ravine, it sustained damage.