Pilot Debrief

Ercoupe 415 near Hawkins, TX — 2019-06-13

Final reportCEN19LA167
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Date
2019-06-13
Location
Hawkins, TX, USA
Airport
16TE
Aircraft
Ercoupe 415
Registration
N87294
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger departed on a cross-country flight to their home airport. The passenger reported that, after turning onto final approach for landing, the engine started running rough and the propeller "slowed down." The pilot attempted to restore engine power to no avail. The airplane impacted a 40-ft-tall tree about 550 ft from the runway threshold and about 70 ft north of the extended runway centerline. The pilot did not recall any of the events of the accident flight except the impact with the tree. Examination of the engine revealed no anomalies, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach when engine started running rough.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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