Pilot Debrief

Ercoupe 415 near Hallettsville, TX — 2020-04-30

Final reportCEN20LA170
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Date
2020-04-30
Location
Hallettsville, TX, USA
Aircraft
Ercoupe 415
Registration
N2275H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel and carburetor ice.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was making a cross-country flight and reported that, about 1 hour into the flight, the engine began to “rattle” and “vibrate.” The engine lost power but remained running with about 1,000 RPMs. The pilot recognized that the airplane could not maintain altitude and executed a forced landing in a field. Upon landing, the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the forward underside of the fuselage. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine. The cockpit fuel selector was found in the left fuel tank position. Contaminated fuel was found in the left-wing tank. The source of the fuel contamination could not be determined. The carburetor was heavily soiled. Murky fuel and sediment were present in the gascolator sediment bowl. The airplane was operating in conditions that were conducive to serious carburetor icing at descent power. However, the carburetor heat knob in the cockpit was not engaged. The combination of contaminated fuel and possible carburetor icing likely resulted in the partial loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels and contamination before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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