Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C accident near Twentynine Palm, California, September 21, 1993
On September 21, 1993 at about 9:00 am local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C, registered N93321, was substantially damaged in an accident near Twentynine Palm, California (Twentynine Palms Mcas airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S ATTEMTED TAKEOFF FROM A TAXIWAY DUE TO ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT. THE NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 21, 1993 · about 9:00 am local time
- Place
- Twentynine Palm, California · Twentynine Palms Mcas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registration
- N93321 · no longer on the register · serial 644
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT HAD LANDED TO DEPLANE A PASSENGER. HE THEN ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FROM A TAXIWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. THE PILOT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.10%.
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: 700 hours in all; 490 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 570 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,055 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 1993; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EAF at 9:00 am
- Destination: PO6 Bullhead City AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 9:00 am from EAF
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.