Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C accident near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1985
On August 27, 1985 at about 10:40 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C, registered N3064H, was destroyed in an accident near Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Deitch 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 27, 1985 · about 10:40 pm local time
- Place
- Carlisle, Pennsylvania · Deitch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registration
- N3064H · no longer on the register · serial 3689
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING THE SECOND TAKEOFF ATTEMPT FROM A PVT GRASS STRIP WITNESSES HEARD THE ENG SPUTTER THEN QUIT SOON AFTER LIFTOFF. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT AND BURNED. THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN ADN WAS KEPT OUT OF DOORS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE THE FABRIC WINGS WERE REFINISHED. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLT OF THE ACFT SINCE THE REFINISHING WAS COMPLETED. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THE PRESENCE OF WATER AND SLUDGE THROUGHOUT THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM.
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: 300 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12F (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Carliisle PA at 10:39 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 1,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 15,000 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:45 pm from HAR, 10 miles away
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.