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Here is a copy of the preliminary report regarding the fatal
ercoupe accident that occurred in March in Kingman Arizona. I have landed in
this airport and it can get pretty rough at times.
NTSB Identification:
LAX99FA128
Aircraft: Ercoupe 415E, registration: N94818 Injuries: 2 Fatal.
On March 20, 1999, at 0923 hours mountain standard time, an Ercoupe 415E,
N94818, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced an in-flight loss of
control on approach to the Kingman Airport, Kingman, Arizona. Visual
meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane
impacted level, desert terrain, and was destroyed. The private pilot and
passenger were fatally injured during the personal flight that was performed
under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Lake Havasu City, Arizona,
about 0830. The pilot was a member of the Arizona Ercoupe Group, and along with
other members, was participating in its annual Wing Ding fly-in. The initial
portion of the flight involved traveling to the Kingman Airport, where breakfast
was to be served, and other activities related to the fly-in were planned. The
pilot's airplane was refueled, and he was observed to have performed a preflight
inspection of his airplane. Approaching the uncontrolled Kingman Airport, the
pilot broadcast his position. He did not indicate that he was experiencing any
difficulty controlling the airplane. Within 10 minutes before and after the
accident, other pilots in the group also entered the Kingman traffic pattern.
They reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that moderate to
extreme turbulence was encountered in the pattern. Several pilots also reported
experiencing windshear while descending on the base and final approach legs. A
ground-based witness, located north of the airport, reported observing the
accident airplane's wings rolling right and left to nearly a vertical bank.
Thereafter, as the airplane turned (onto final approach) toward the airport it
rolled over and rapidly descended. The airplane was found in an upright attitude
approximately 0.6 mile north of the approach end of runway 21, and was headed
280 degrees magnetic. All flight control surfaces were found attached to the
airframe. The engine assembly was observed crushed in an aft and estimated 30 to
45 degree upward direction. The propeller was found torsionally twisted, bent
into an "S" shape, scratched on its cambered surface in a chordwise direction,
and with its leading edge nicked. There was no evidence of fire.
Safe flying
Robert Velez
N3516H
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