Accident Details
On May 15, 2020, at approximately 1410 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-CD airplane, registration N3956H, was destroyed in an accident near Rogersville, Tennessee. The pilot, based at Hawkins County Airport (RVN), was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Witness Observations
A witness on a farm about 3 miles southwest of the airport reported seeing the pilot fly over at a lower altitude than usual, with steeper-than-normal bank angles during turns. After circling twice, the pilot flew back toward the airport. The witness noted erratic and gusty wind conditions. Two other witnesses, both pilots, stated that the engine sounded normal as the airplane entered the traffic pattern. They observed the airplane on final approach when it suddenly banked right in a rapid motion, as if “snagged.” One witness saw the airplane clip the top of a tree before it was lost from sight. The wreckage was subsequently located on fire.
Aircraft and Engine Examination
The airplane impacted the front yard of a residence about 1,000 ft from the threshold of runway 25, at an elevation of 1,214 ft mean sea level. The debris path was approximately 20 ft long on a magnetic heading of 240°. Ground scars and damage were consistent with a nose-low, left wing-low impact. A postimpact fire consumed most of the wreckage, but all major structural components were present within the debris field. Flight control continuity was verified from the cockpit to all primary surfaces. Engine examination revealed fire and heat damage throughout. The top spark plugs showed light sooting and normal wear. Magnetos sustained heat damage and failed to produce spark. The carburetor was broken away, but the metal float was intact and the inlet screen clean. The crankshaft rotated by hand with compression and suction on all cylinders; camshaft continuity and valve action were normal. The fixed-pitch propeller exhibited one blade with chordwise scratches and the other with S-bending, chordwise scratching, and leading edge gouges, along with heat damage.
Pilot Medical Information
An autopsy performed by the William Jenkins Forensic Center identified the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. The examination also found moderate atherosclerotic stenosis (50%) of the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease based on kidney appearance. Toxicological testing by the FAA’s Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected diphenhydramine (65 ng/ml) and cetirizine (24 ng/ml) in femoral blood and urine, as well as tamsulosin and naproxen in subclavian blood and urine. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine that may impair mental and physical abilities; cetirizine is also a sedating antihistamine. Tamsulosin and naproxen are not generally considered impairing.