Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD accident near Abbeville, Louisiana, June 29, 2000
On June 29, 2000 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD, registered N3177H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Abbeville, Louisiana (Abbeville Chris Crusta airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's misjudged flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor was the crosswind condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2000 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Abbeville, Louisiana · Abbeville Chris Crusta · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD ERCOUPE 41 · all ERCOUPE 415-CDs on the register
- Registration
- N3177H · registry record · serial 3802
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting to land on runway 15 prior to thunderstorms moving over the airport. The pilot reported that the wind was from the south-southwest at 10-15 knots, and gusting 20-25 knots. The pilot added that he had to use 'higher than normal approach speeds to maintain directional control.' The pilot added that he landed 'fast and hit hard.' The airplane bounced and departed the runway into the grass. The nose gear collapsed, damaging the firewall.
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: 2,500 hours in all; 325 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 10, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,733 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 6, 2000; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-320-G-85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0R3 Abbeville LA at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 5,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 185° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
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.