Pilot Debrief

ERCOUPE 415C near San Manuel, AZ — 2009-05-15

Final reportWPR09LA251
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Date
2009-05-15
Location
San Manuel, AZ, USA
Aircraft
ERCOUPE 415C
Registration
N2339H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that while en route on the solo cross-country flight, the engine began to lose power and subsequently quit. He was able to restart the engine, but not able to maintain altitude due to the low power it was producing. The pilot performed an off airport landing and during the landing roll, the airplane struck desert vegetation, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident inspection of the engine revealed no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Performing maintenance checks before the flight could have prevented the engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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