Aircoupe 415-C accident near Big Piney, Wyoming, May 22, 1983
On May 22, 1983 at about 9:50 pm local time, a Aircoupe 415-C, registered N3726H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Big Piney, Wyoming (Big Piney airport). 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 1983 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Big Piney, Wyoming · Big Piney · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aircoupe 415-C
- Registration
- N3726H · registry record · serial 4351
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, HE HELD THE ELEVATOR FULL BACK DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL UNTIL THE ACFT WAS 50 FT AGL, AND THEN ONLY RELEASED IT SLIGHTLY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AIRSPEED WAS 47 MPH AT 50 FT AND ABOUT 57 MPH AT 70 FT. THEN THE ACFT NOSE FELL AND THE ACFT STARTED TO SINK RAPIDLY. THE PILOT THEN TRIED TO PICK UP AIRSPEED AND RECOVER BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SETTLE. JUST BEFORE GROUND IMPACT THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED BACK ELEVATOR WITH NO RESPONSE. THE ACFT HIT ON THE NOSE GEAR, BOUNCED AND NOSED OVER AS IT LEFT THE RWY. THE BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB AIRSPEED (VX) IS 70 KNOTS.
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: 222 hours in all; 67 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 145 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,529 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 28, 1982; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,440 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C75-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 4,400 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 315° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:00 pm from BPI
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.