Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C accident near Columbia, California, September 26, 1993
On September 26, 1993 at about 6:50 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C, registered N3561H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbia, California (Columbia airport). It was a personal 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 improper use of the elevator control during the takeoff ground roll which resulted in a porpoise and nose gear collapse. A factor in the accident was the pilot's low total experience and lack of total time in type.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 26, 1993 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Columbia, California · Columbia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registration
- N3561H · no longer on the register · serial 4186
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT AND HAD ONLY 6 HOURS IN TYPE. HE REPORTED THAT ON THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL AS THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERATED THROUGH 42 MPH INDICATED, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO LIFTOFF. THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO LIFT OFF AT 55 MPH, AND, 'NOT WANTING TO STALL OR MUSH,' HE APPLIED DOWN ELEVATOR TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO PORPOISE, THEN VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR.
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: 82 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 50 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 24, 1993; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O22 at 7:50 pm
- Destination: LVK Livermore CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 17, 4,670 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.