NTSB CAROL · Event
Event NYC90FA226
Registry · N9UP
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
ERCOUPE 415-C
Year of manufacture
1946 · 44 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES (85 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19551212
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AC6C4A
Registrant of record
BELLA CHARLES
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHILE CONDUCTING TRAINING MANEUVERS AT AN ALTITUDE THAT PRECLUDED A SAFE RECOVERY.
Factual narrative
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE WITNESSES HEARD THE PILOTS DISCUSSING THE POSSIBILITY OF CONDUCTING PILOT TRAINING. LESS THAN 6 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED IN A DIVE TO GROUND IMPACT. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE(S) WAS CHANGING. THE LEFT ENGINE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. TEARDOWN EXAMINATIONS OF BOTH ENGINES DID NOT REVEAL ANY DISCREPANCIES. THE OTHER PILOT HELD A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH AIRPLANE SINGLE AND MULTI-ENGINE LAND, INSTRUMENT, AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (AIRPLANE SINGLE-ENGINE) RATINGS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1990_NYC90FA226.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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