Ercoupe 415-C accident near Arcaida, Florida, August 13, 2008
On August 13, 2008 at about 6:15 pm local time, a Ercoupe 415-C, registered N94339, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Arcaida, Florida (Private, Southern Dreams Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper climb rate after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2008 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Arcaida, Florida · Private, Southern Dreams Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe 415-C · all 415-Cs on the register
- Registration
- N94339 · no longer on the register · serial 1562
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness observed the airplane depart toward the west from the 1,200-foot-long grass strip. During the takeoff the witness observed the airplane encounter what he believed to be a downdraft, causing it to lose altitude. The airplane seemed to reestablish the climb when it impacted an oak tree that was located about 50 feet past and 20 feet left of the runway. The airplane impacted several trees before impacting the ground inverted. The wreckage examination revealed no abnormalities or discrepancies that would have prevented the airplane and its systems from normal flight operations. The nearest weather reporting station was located 23 miles southwest from the accident location. The recorded temperature during the time of the accident was 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) and the wind was reported from 250 degrees at 13 knots. The autopsy report noted evidence of moderate to severe coronary artery disease and a prior heart attack. The toxicology results were consistent with the recent use of an anti-acid medication, available over the counter. The medication was unlikely to have adversely affected the pilot’s performance. Postmortem toxicology could not determine whether the pilot’s heart disease or the symptoms for which he was taking medication were related to the accident.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all
- Last flight review: December 6, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,474 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 8, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Arcaida FL at 6:14 pm
- Destination: VNC Venice FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 1,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from PGD, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.