Probable cause
The flight instructor's failure to maintain pitch control and his improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that he was going to demonstrate a simulated engine failure on takeoff for the student pilot. After climbing the airplane several hundred feet, he reduced the engine power to idle and pitched the airplane to maintain best glide speed. He applied back pressure to the yoke during the landing flare and realized the airplane was going to land harder than desired. The airplane landed hard on the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA329 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 7, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lafayette, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Purdue University (LAF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Ercoupe 415
- N-number
- N3667H
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1946
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.