Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415 accident near Chappell, Nebraska, January 13, 2016
On January 13, 2016 at about 5:35 pm local time, a 1946 Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415, registered N87405, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Chappell, Nebraska (Billy G Ray Field). It was a positioning 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 inability to correct for a crosswind during the takeoff roll due to the interlinked flight control design, which resulted in a runway excursion, and a collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 13, 2016 · about 5:35 pm local time
- Place
- Chappell, Nebraska · Billy G Ray Field · 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, built 1946 · all ERCOUPE 415s on the register
- Registration
- N87405 · registry record · serial 578
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll with gusting wind, the right wing "lifted up sharply." He reported that at full power he attempted to rotate, the airplane departed the runway to the right, and the left wing impacted a snow bank. When the left wing impacted the snow bank, he reported that the airplane "swung" back to the left, and came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that the airplane is a "standard Ercoupe, with integrated nose-wheel steering, rudder and aileron, and no toe brakes." The pilot additionally stated that, "once the right wing lifted, it didn't matter what I did, the aircraft was going to go off the runway to the right" and that, "without rudder pedals and independent aileron authority to work a crosswind, it was not going to happen." The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff defining event
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › (general) › Design
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Crosswind correction › Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 25,460 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 25,140 as pilot in command; 5,721 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 26, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,245.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 9, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A71B (piston); 394 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CNP Chappell NE at 5:35 pm
- Destination: CNP Chappell NE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 4,000 ft by 55 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KSNY, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.