Probable cause
The pilot's misjudged landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to practice landings. While maneuvering on a normal traffic pattern to the runway, he noted that the airplane was higher and faster than he was accustomed to. The pilot recalled that he flared too high resulting in the airplane landing hard. Following the touchdown, the airplane bounced and landed hard again. The airplane sustained damage to the firewall. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA126 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 19, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Camas, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Grove Field Airport (1W1)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Ercoupe 415-E
- N-number
- N94805
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.