NTSB Factual Report

On August 3, 2002, at 1050 central daylight time, an Ercoupe Model G, N94431, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing on runway 9 (2,150ft x 200ft, turf) at the Palmyra Municipal Airport (88C), Palmyra, Wisconsin. The flight originated from the East Troy Municipal Airport (57C), East Troy, Wisconsin, at 1010 cdt and intended to return there after practicing takeoffs and landings at Palmyra. The pilot, with a certified flight instructor on board, was intending to complete a biennial flight review. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and flight instructor did not report any injuries.

As part of a flight review, the pilot initiated a power-off approach from "abeam the numbers" on downwind in the traffic pattern. On short final, at an altitude of approximately 6 feet agl, the pilot noted that "the aircraft quit flying and skidded to a stop." The flight instructor on-board, in his written statement, reported "without warning or any indication, the aircraft quit flying totally." The resulting hard landing collapsed the nose gear.

The pilot and flight instructor's statements indicated that no stall warning system was installed in the aircraft. They also reported no malfunctions or failures associated with the airplane or engine prior to the accident.

Weather conditions at the scene, as reported by the pilot and flight instructor, were clear skies and 8 miles visibility. They noted winds from 100 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The Rock County Airport (JVL) AWOS, 24 miles to the southwest, reported at 1045 cdt, clear skies, 10 miles visibility and winds from 110 degrees at 8 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure by the pilot-in-command to properly compensate for the wind conditions, as well as an improper landing flare. Contibuting factors were the inadequate supervision by the flight instructor and the wind gusts.