Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D accident near Colstrip, Montana, April 22, 1998
On April 22, 1998 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D, registered N2777H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Colstrip, Montana (Colstrip 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
The pilot's operation of the aircraft above maximum gross weight, resulting in her inability to attain a sustained climb rate after becoming airborne. A factor was high density altitude conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 22, 1998 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Colstrip, Montana · Colstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D
- Registration
- N2777H · no longer on the register · serial 3402
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that on takeoff, immediately after becoming airborne, the airplane banked left and 'I fought for control.' The pilot reported the airplane then 'apparently veered to the north of the runway', then 'seemed to begin to climb [and] then we were down.' The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest about halfway down the runway, to the north (right side) of the runway. Based on aircraft, occupant and fuel weights reported by the pilot, the airplane was computed to be approximately 52.5 pounds (4%) above maximum gross weight at takeoff. Based on reported temperature of 72 degrees F and field elevation of 3,426 feet, density altitude was estimated at approximately 5,000 feet at the time. At this combination of pressure altitude and temperature, the airplane's Continental C75 engine is capable of producing approximately 65 brake horsepower (BHP), approximately 13% less than its sea-level rating of 75 BHP.
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: 127 hours in all; 27 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 78 as pilot in command; 49 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,228 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 5, 1998; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C75 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: M46 at 10:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 5,100 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.