FlightFinder
Check my flight
Casualties unknown

Airplane Departs Runway During Takeoff, Crosses Road and Stops in Ditch (N2546H)

Lake City, MI, US

On July 3, 2004, an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415C (registration N2546H) was involved in an aviation accident near Lake City, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot selecting the wrong runway for the wind conditions and his delay in executing an aborted takeoff resulting in the airplane running off the departure end of the runway and into a ditch. The tailwind and the ditch were contributing factors. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a takeoff on runway 27, an airplane accelerated to slightly over 85 mph but experienced no lift. It went off the runway end, crossed a road, and came to rest in a ditch. The pilot reported seeing a piece of paper exhibiting unusual flight behavior.

Event Description

The airplane was damaged after it went off the end of the runway, crossed a road, and struck a ditch on the opposite side of the road. The takeoff was being made on runway 27.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that during the takeoff, he accelerated to slightly over 85 miles per hour and could feel absolutely no lift. He also reported seeing a small piece of paper come from the northwest at approximately 100 feet above the ground. The paper then dove to the ground to the southwest and bounced along the ground in front of the airplane. The pilot stated that he pulled the throttle back, the airplane bounced off the ground, hit the end of the runway, crossed the road adjacent to the departure end of the runway, and came to rest in the ditch on the west side of the road.

Wind Conditions

The winds about 30 minutes prior to the accident were from 120 degrees at 11 knots. About 30 minutes after the accident, the recorded wind was from 130 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Jul 2004 Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415C accident near Lake City, MI?

During a takeoff on runway 27, an airplane accelerated to slightly over 85 mph but experienced no lift. It went off the runway end, crossed a road, and came to rest in a ditch. The pilot reported seeing a piece of paper exhibiting unusual flight behavior.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Jul 2004 involved an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415C, registration N2546H, at Lake City, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot selecting the wrong runway for the wind conditions and his delay in executing an aborted takeoff resulting in the airplane running off the departure end of the runway and into a ditch. The tailwind and the ditch were contributing factors.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040809X01172. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.