Mechanical & Engine Failure · NTSB ERA09FA087
ERCOUPE 415-D — Sebring, FL
| Date | December 13, 2008 |
| Location | Sebring, FL |
| Aircraft | ERCOUPE 415-D |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering Aircraft structural failure |
| Pilot age | 70 |
| Pilot total time | 7,126 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 12 hrs |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Wing structure-Spar (on wing)-Capability exceeded - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
What happened
Witnesses observed the accident airplane as it performed a low-level, local flight in the vicinity of the passenger's home. The witnesses reported that the airplane entered a high-speed dive before pulling up and rolling steeply left. One of the witnesses reported that both ailerons were "fluttering" just before both wings separated from the fuselage and the airplane broke up. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the wing spar failed in overload at its center, in an aft and downward direction. Though a hole not specified in the design of the airplane was present at the point where the separation of the spar began, its effect on the preaccident structural strength of the spar could not be determined. No corrosion or evidence of a fatigue failure was observed in the vicinity of the initial separation.