No fatalities

Aircraft Accident on Ice-Covered Lake Airstrip

Newaygo, MI, United States

On January 30, 2011, an ERCOUPE 415-CD operated by BUTTERMORE DALE D was involved in an aviation accident near Newaygo, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff from a frozen lake. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft veered left during takeoff from a plowed airstrip on an ice-covered lake, striking a snow bank and nosing over. The pilot reported no mechanical failure, and the plane sustained substantial damage.

Incident Overview and Damage Assessment An aircraft accident occurred during a takeoff attempt from a plowed airstrip located on an ice-covered lake. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft veered to the left, causing the left wheel to strike a snow bank situated on the left side of the airstrip. This impact resulted in the aircraft nosing over, which caused substantial damage to the wings and empennage. ## Pilot Report and Mechanical Status The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure associated with the incident. The source does not provide specific details regarding the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or location beyond the description of the ice-covered lake airstrip.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Jan 2011 ERCOUPE 415-CD accident near Newaygo, MI?

An aircraft veered left during takeoff from a plowed airstrip on an ice-covered lake, striking a snow bank and nosing over. The pilot reported no mechanical failure, and the plane sustained substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 30 Jan 2011 ERCOUPE 415-CD accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Jan 2011 involved an ERCOUPE 415-CD, operated by BUTTERMORE DALE D, at Newaygo, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff from a frozen lake.