Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the downdraft reported by the pilot.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported the airplane encountered a downdraft during the landing which caused the airplane to descend to terrain impact.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 20, 1996, at 2010 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N3607H, operated by a private pilot, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while landing at a private airstrip in Cambridge, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight originated from the private airstrip at 1940 cdt. The pilot stated that during the landing the airplane encountered a downdraft causing it to collide with the terrain. Winds reported at Moline, Illinois (20 miles northeast of the accident site) were calm. The pilot has not returned a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 to this office as of the completion of this report. -