ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 59508
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| Date: | Saturday 11 April 2009 |
| Time: | 14:50 |
| Type: |  ERCO 415-C Ercoupe |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N87384 |
| MSN: | 557 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1951 hours |
| Engine model: | Continental C-85-12F |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | North of Sandwich-Woodlake Airport, Illinois -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Sandwich, IL (IS65) |
| Sandwich, IL | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Numerous witnesses reported that the airplane was flying at a very low altitude just above tree top level as it flew over a small lake and golf course on an easterly heading. The witnesses reported that the engine was sputtering and not operating normally. The airplane hit the tops of some hardwood trees located at the eastern edge of the golf course. The airplane impacted a field in a steep nose down attitude and immediately burst into flames. The inspection of the airframe revealed no preexisting anomalies. The engine inspection revealed drive train continuity and compression on all cylinders. The accessories could not be tested due to impact forces and the post impact fire that consumed much of the engine accessories and airframe. Numerous hardwood tree branches were found at the impact site. Several open fields were located along the flight path that offered suitable landing sites for a forced landing, and that were closer than the field where the airplane was found. Toxicology results were consistent with use of Bupropion, a prescription antidepressant also used for smoking cessation. The medication does not impair flying performance, and though there is an increased risk of seizures with the medication, the circumstances of the accident were not consistent with a seizure event.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to execute an immediate forced landing to a suitable field and the engine's partial loss of power for an undetermined reason.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
Location
Images:
(c) NTSB
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Apr-2009 22:27 | Digitalis | Added |
| 12-Apr-2009 11:25 | harro | Updated |
| 10-Sep-2009 10:51 | harro | Updated |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:25 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 01-Dec-2017 18:52 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
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