Pilot Debrief

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C near Penngrove, CA — 2008-05-15

Final reportLAX08LA142
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Date
2008-05-15
Location
Penngrove, CA, USA
Aircraft
Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
Registration
N99180
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The loss of engine power resulting from frayed magneto "P" leads, which shorted out and killed the ignition system. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

NTSB narrative

During cruise flight, the airplane's engine lost total power and the pilot executed a forced landing in an alfalfa field. During the landing roll in the 2 to 3-foot-tall grass, the airplane skidded sideways and the tail dug into the ground. The airplane's tail cone was buckled, and the right vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors found that both magnetos had frayed primary wires ("P" leads) at the magnetos, which could have been shorting out and intermittently killing the ignition system. They noted numerous additional maintenance discrepancies with the airplane; however, none of these would have contributed to a loss of engine power. According to the inspectors, the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed about 2 months before the accident. The maintenance discrepancies found by the FAA inspectors, including the frayed "P" leads, should have been repaired during this annual inspection.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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