Engineering & Research 415 accident near Collinsville, Oklahoma, July 23, 2016
On July 23, 2016 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1946 Engineering & Research 415, registered N2377H, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Collinsville, Oklahoma (Sandridge Airpark INC airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in a high density altitude condition, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a tree.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2016 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Collinsville, Oklahoma · Sandridge Airpark INC · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Engineering & Research 415 D, built 1946 · all 415s on the register
- Registration
- N2377H · no longer on the register · serial 3002
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the takeoff rotation, the nose came up and the left wing rose, but as he looked to the right wing it appeared low and "the next thing he knew" the airplane was going about 45 degrees across the runway to the right, headed for a tree. The pilot further reported that he reduced throttle and applied the brakes while turning left to no avail. The airplane subsequently impacted a tree and spun clockwise about 90 degrees sustaining substantial damage to the right wing and aft fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot recommended that due to the density altitude and low powered airplane it may not have been a good condition for departure.
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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Part(s) separation from AC during takeoff
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff
- Evacuation during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Decision related to condition
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,335 hours in all; 49 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 1,335 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 28, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,606.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 3, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor C85-12 (piston); 2,606 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OK94 Collinsville OK at 5:00 pm
- Destination: OK94 Collinsville OK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,545 ft by 110 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 99°F (37°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KTUL, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 30, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.