Casualties unknown

1998-05-06: Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C (N87125) — Olustee, OK

Olustee, OK, US

On May 6, 1998, an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C (registration N87125) was involved in an aviation accident near Olustee, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's improper decision to attempt an 180 degree turn to return to the takeoff runway. 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 student pilot and passenger were performing touch and go landings when the aircraft shuddered and entered a slip stall during a crosswind turn, resulting in an impact with the ground. No mechanical anomalies were found.

Incident Overview

A student pilot, accompanied by a passenger, was conducting touch and go landings on runway 35. After completing two or three such landings, the aircraft began a takeoff and subsequently turned left into the crosswind leg. During this turn, the aircraft shuddered, and the pilot perceived a 'slip stall'. The pilot vaguely recalled struggling to recover from the stall and glimpsing the end of the runway over his left shoulder, thinking 'we have got to get back over there.'

Impact and Wreckage

The aircraft impacted the ground, with a wreckage path oriented on a magnetic heading of 130 degrees. The airplane came to rest approximately 320 feet from the departure end of runway 35.

Examination Findings

A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no structural or mechanical anomalies.

Toxicological Results

According to the FAA Southwest Region Flight Surgeon, the pilot's blood alcohol concentration was 0.044% at the hospital and 0.029% at the Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI). The flight surgeon stated that these levels 'may have affected the pilot's performance, but he would not have been impaired.'

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10049. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.