Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C accident near Planada, California, June 23, 1986
On June 23, 1986 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C, registered N3220H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Planada, California. It was a ferry 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
- June 23, 1986 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Planada, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registration
- N3220H · no longer on the register · serial 3845
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT REPORTED THE ENG COUGHED DURING CRUISE FLT AT AN ALT OF 2000 FT AGL. HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE ENG COUGHED AGAIN AND LOST POWER. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD. THE LANDING GEAR DUG INTO THE TERRAIN AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND ENG FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY FAILURE/MALFUNCTIONS.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,042 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 993 as pilot in command; 369 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,304 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 18, 1986; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-75-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 061 Cameron Park CA at 8:00 pm
- Destination: CGZ Casa Grande AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from MCE, 10 miles away
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.