Pilot Debrief

ERCOUPE 415 near Ardmore, OK — 2020-11-07

Final reportCEN21LA047
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Date
2020-11-07
Location
Ardmore, OK, USA
Aircraft
ERCOUPE 415
Registration
N331BW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff with 3 persons in a 2-place airplane and over maximum gross weight, and his failure to apply carburetor heat when the airplane’s engine experienced carburetor ice and a partial loss of power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing a local flight with two passengers onboard the two-seat airplane. After flying two passes over a house, the pilot felt a “slight shudder” and thought the airplane had flown through its own propeller wash. The engine then started to vibrate, and the pilot was not able to control the vibration by adjusting the throttle. The pilot set the airplane up in a glide configuration at which time the airplane banked to the left. The pilot applied full right aileron control, but it did not stop the left turn. The pilot was attempting to land the airplane in a field when it contacted a tree and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe, including the flight controls, and engine that would have precluded normal operation. It was determined that the airplane was 48 pounds over its maximum gross weight when the pilot started the engine. A review of local area meteorological data showed that at the time of the accident, the airplane was likely operating in conditions conducive to the formation of serious icing conditions (at cruise power). The pilot reported he did not apply the carburetor heat when the engine began to lose power. It is likely the engine sustained a partial loss of engine power in flight due to the formation of carburetor icing, which resulted in the attempted forced landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have applied carburetor heat to prevent engine vibration.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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