Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-C accident near Pineora, Georgia, May 26, 1990
On May 26, 1990 at about 1:00 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-C, registered N3261H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pineora, Georgia (Helmeys Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE PASSENGER WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS RETARDED AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INTERVENE BECAUSE OF HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 26, 1990 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Pineora, Georgia · Helmeys Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-C ERCOUPE 41
- Registration
- N3261H · no longer on the register · serial 3886
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKE OFF, AT ABOUT 50 FEET, THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY RETARDED THE THROTTLE. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING PICTURES WITH A CAMCORDER. WHILE THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED THE AIRPLANE LOST AIRSPEED, DESCENDED, AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AND UNDERBRUSH AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 10 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 2,300 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,700 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from SAV, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.