Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C accident near Truth/Consequen, New Mexico, June 16, 1990
On June 16, 1990 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C, registered N94351, was substantially damaged in an accident near Truth/Consequen, New Mexico (Truth Or Consequences airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED AND OBTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 1990 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Truth/Consequen, New Mexico · Truth Or Consequences · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registration
- N94351 · registry record · serial 1574
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE PILOT LIFTED OFF AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, PULLED THE PLANE UP STEEPLY UNTIL THE AIRSPEED BLED OFF, PUSHED THE NOSE OVER TO REGAIN AIRSPEED AND REPEATED THIS MANEUVER TWICE MORE BEFORE THE PLANE REACHED THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PASSENGER SAID THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND ON THE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND REDUCED POWER, BUT HAD TO ADD POWER AGAIN TO CLEAR A FENCE. THE PILOT THEN REDUCED POWER, ASKED THE PASSENGER TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL, AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE MESQUITE BRUSH, DAMAGING THE NOSE GEAR, ENGINE MOUNTS, AND BOTH WINGS, SUBSTANTIALLY.
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: 499 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 406 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- 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-75-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TCS at 2:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 5,600 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number DEN90LA137.