Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D accident near Winthrop, Washington, March 16, 1992
On March 16, 1992 at about 1:35 am local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D, registered N86952, was destroyed in an accident near Winthrop, Washington (Methow Valley State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE STUDENT PILOT'S ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT RESULTING IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A GO-AROUND.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 1992 · about 1:35 am local time
- Place
- Winthrop, Washington · Methow Valley State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D
- Registration
- N86952 · no longer on the register · serial 125
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE SURVIVING RIGHT SEAT PASSENGER, A PRIVATE PILOT WITH ABOUT 440 HRS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, STATED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT/ACFT OWNER WAS PERFORMING A GO-AROUND WHEN THE ACFT STALLED, TURNED LEFT, DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED, STRUCK A TREE BY THE RUNWAY, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE TOXICOLOGY REPORT ON THE STUDENT PILOT REVEALED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.191%.
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: student
- Flight time: 30 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-75 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 2S0 Twisp WA at 1:00 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 5,050 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 15,000 ft; scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:48 am from EAT, 70 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.