No fatalities

9 Aug 2016: ERCOUPE 415 CD — Eminence, IN

Eminence, IN, United States

On 9 Aug 2016, an ERCOUPE 415 CD was involved in an aviation accident near Eminence, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path during the landing approach and his failure to use available engine power to arrest the descent, resulting in an undershoot and collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A private pilot reported a low approach to a grass runway, failing to add throttle, causing the landing gear to contact a bean field. The aircraft nosed down, sustaining substantial damage; the pilot was uninjured.

Accident Description

A private pilot operating a single-engine airplane experienced a landing accident during a normal traffic pattern to a grass strip airport. The pilot reported that while lined up with the runway on final approach, the aircraft was positioned slightly low. Despite recognizing the low altitude, the pilot did not advance the throttle for an unknown reason, which resulted in the landing gear contacting a bean field adjacent to the runway. Upon contact with the beans, the airplane nosed down into the ground and subsequently came to rest at the end of the grass runway.

Aircraft Damage

The impact caused substantial damage to the airplane, specifically to the firewall and fuselage. The extent of the damage was consistent with a hard landing and nose-over event.

Pilot Statement

The pilot, who held a private pilot certificate, stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane before or during the flight. He described the airplane as operating perfectly. The pilot was not injured in the accident.

No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, date, or location were provided in the report.

Contributing factors

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedIncorrect use/operation