Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C accident near Vine Grove, Kentucky, May 17, 1992
On May 17, 1992 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C, registered N93426, was substantially damaged in an accident near Vine Grove, Kentucky (Vine Grove airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE WIND GUSTS AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 1992 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Vine Grove, Kentucky · Vine Grove · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registration
- N93426 · no longer on the register · serial 749
- 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 HE WAS TAXIING TO THE WEST, AND THAT HE TURNED TO THE LEFT TOWARD THE PARKING AREA WHEN A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THAT HE TRIED TO CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT BY USING THE THROTTLE, AILERON AND RUDDER, BUT ALL WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT ALSO INDICATED THERE WERE WIND GUSTS FROM THE NORTH AT 20 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND SLID INTO ANOTHER PARKED AIRCRAFT ABOUT 300 FEET FROM THE CENTERLINE 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
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,066 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 3, 1991; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KY70 KY
- Destination: KY70 KY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,300 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 17 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.