Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C accident near Dunsmuir, California, August 5, 1992
On August 5, 1992 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C, registered N99585, was destroyed in an accident near Dunsmuir, California (Dunsmuir-Mott Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM ANY PREFLIGHT PLANNING OR PREPARATION AND SELECTED THE WRONG RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE EXISTING TAILWIND, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 1992 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Dunsmuir, California · Dunsmuir-Mott Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registration
- N99585 · no longer on the register · serial 2208
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM AN UPSLOPE RUNWAY WITH A 4 KNOT TAILWIND WITH A HEAVILY LOADED AIRPLANE. THE AIRCRAFT USED ALL BUT A 100 FEET OF THE RUNWAY TO LIFT OFF. THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO CLIMB AFTER IT LIFTED OFF AND COLLIDED WITH A LARGE FIR TREE ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. INVESTIGATORS FOUND THE THROTTLE IN THE FULL POWER POSITION AND THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN THE FULL RICH POSITION. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 5,900 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL AND THE RUNWAY'S GRADIENT WAS A PLUS 1.11 PERCENT.
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: 200 hours in all; 60 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,002 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 26, 1991; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-75 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: Q17 Booneville CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 32, 2,700 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.