Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C accident near Derby, Kansas, May 31, 1993
On May 31, 1993 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C, registered N37139, was substantially damaged in an accident near Derby, Kansas (Hamilton Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S MISJUDGED APPROACH TO LANDING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 1993 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Derby, Kansas · Hamilton Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registration
- N37139 · registry record · serial 106
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED AFTER A BRIEF LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT HE RETURNED TO LAND AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. HE STATED: 'ON SHORT FINAL THE LANDING GEAR CONTACTED WHEAT IN THE FIELD IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO THE WHEAT AND PITCHED OVER ONTO ITS BACK APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.'
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: 654 hours in all; 184 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 617 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,678 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 17, 1993; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 2,600 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 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.