Event SEA97LA197

Factual narrative

On July 29, 1997, approximately 1000 Pacific daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N3578H, sustained substantial damage when the pilot lost control while landing on runway 25 at Elma, Washington. The private pilot and her passenger were uninjured. No flight plan was filed for the local flight, and there was no report of the ELT actuating. The airplane departed the runway about 300 feet from the landing end of runway 25. Winds were 180 degrees at 7 knots at the time of the accident, according to an FAA source. The pilot reported the winds as being 250 degrees at 10-15 knots, gusting to 15-20 knots. The occurrence was reported to the FAA on August 20, 1997. A determination that the damage comprised an accident was determined on August 29, 1997. The pilot stated that she was landing on a narrow runway. When the wheels touched down, she realized an apparent wind gust had forced the aircraft to the left of the centerline. As she attempted to steer back to the right, the left wing tip struck adjacent shrubbery. After touchdown, the airplane departed the runway about 300 feet from the landing end of runway 25. Winds were 180 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported the winds as being 250 degrees at 10-15 knots, gusting to 15-20 knots. The pilot stated that she was landing on a narrow runway. She stated that when the wheels touched down, she realized an apparent wind gust had forced the aircraft to the left of the centerline. As she attempted to steer back to the right, the left wing tip struck adjacent shrubbery. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12