NTSB CAROL · Event
Event NYC91LA181
Registry · N980DD
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
ERCOUPE 415-D
Year of manufacture
1946 · 45 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR A&C75 SERIES (75 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19560714
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ADAB73
Registrant of record
HEATH JACKIE
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONDUCT FLIGHT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY THAT ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE AERODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Factual narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED ENGINE VIBRATIONS WHILE ENROUTE TO NEW ALBANY, KENTUCKY, SO HE MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD. DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT STRUCK CORN STALKS NEXT TO THE ROAD. THE DAMAGE CONSISTED OF A BROKEN LANDING LIGHT LENS CAUSING A HOLE IN THE LEFT LEADING EDGE OF THE WING. THE PILOT INSPECTED THE WING AND WITHOUT REPLACING THE LENS, HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF. ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT MADE AN UNCOMMANDED LEFT TURN. DESPITE CORRECTIVE ACTION THE AIRCRAFT TURNED 270 DEGREES, STRUCK THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1991_NYC91LA181.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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