Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415D accident near Boynton Beach, Florida, May 22, 1994
On May 22, 1994 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415D, registered N93763, was substantially damaged in an accident near Boynton Beach, Florida (Willis Gliderport airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
INADVERTENT USE OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SEPARATION OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL CABLE FROM THE CARBURETOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 1994 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Boynton Beach, Florida · Willis Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415D
- Registration
- N93763 · no longer on the register · serial 1086
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON APPROACH TO LAND, HE INADVERTENTLY PULLED THE MIXTURE CONTROL INSTEAD OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL. AFTER REALIZING HIS MISTAKE HE PUSHED IN THE MIXTURE CONTROL BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. UNABLE TO LAND AT THE AIRSTRIP HE CRASHED INTO A CANAL SHORT OF THE AIRSTRIP. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE MIXTURE CONTROL CABLE WAS SEPARATED FROM THE MIXTURE CONTROL ARM AT THE CARBURETOR EXPLAINING THE LACK OF ENGINE RESPONSE.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,452 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,330 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,757 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 22, 1993; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-90-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 pm from PBI, 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.