Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout and altitu de while on final approach to landing resulting in an in-flight collision with a fence and subsequent collision with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he was 'little too low' and 'misjudged sink rate' while on final approach to landing. The nose gear collided with a barbed wire fence and the airplane collided with the ground.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 9, 1997, about 1100 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N3263H, registered to a private owner, crashed on a private grass strip in the vicinity of Bushnell, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The flight was local and no flight plan was filed. On final approach for landing, the airplane struck a barbed wire fence with the nose gear, bending it rearward, and collided with the ground, skidding to a stop. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was "little too low" and "misjudged sink rate". -