Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-D accident near Emmett, Michigan, September 27, 1991
On September 27, 1991 at about 7:02 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-D, registered N99283, was destroyed in an accident near Emmett, Michigan. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S EXCEEDING THE DESIGN LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT BREAKUP.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 27, 1991 · about 7:02 pm local time
- Place
- Emmett, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-D ERCOUPE 41
- Registration
- N99283 · no longer on the register · serial 1906
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A STUDENT PILOT TOOK OFF IN HIS PERSONAL AIRPLANE ON HIS SECOND FLIGHT OF THE DAY TO PRACTICE FOR A PRIVATE PILOT CHECKRIDE. HE HAD ABOUT 120 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, 80 IN MODEL. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER, WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE ACCELERATE. ONE HEARD A SOUND LIKE AND EXPLOSION. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A STEEP SPIRAL TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PILOT WAS THROWN FROM THE AIRPLANE. AIRPLANE DEBRIS FELL AT DISTANCES UP TO 3000 FEET AWAY. THE EMPENNAGE AND RIGHT WING SHOWED FAILURE UNDER POSITIVE LOAD.
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: student
- Flight time: 123 hours in all; 82 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 80 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,347 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 23, 1991; 52 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12-F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PHN Port Huron MI at 6:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:57 pm from MTC, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.