# Accident 20140727013129A: Ercoupe 415-C, Susanville, CA, July 27, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 27, 2014, 13:00 local time
- Place: Susanville, CA
- Airport: Susanville Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.3050° N, 120.7558° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3050&lon=-120.7558&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2013H, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2013H-2020-05-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Ercoupe 415-C (registry code 0420322, https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C75 series (registry code 17005, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415-C
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR C85
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Sport pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 8,475 total, 47 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA315) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140727013129A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON INITIAL START-UP ON A PERSONNEL FLIGHT AROUND SEVERAL AIRPORTS IN THE MOUNTAINOUS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA, THE ENGINE WAS PRIMED WITH SEVERAL PUMPS.  SUBSEQUENT TO ENGINE START, THE AIRCRAFT TOOK-OFF AND LANDED THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WITHOUT INCIDENT.  2.5 GALLON OF FUEL WAS ADDED AND THE TRIP CONTINUED WITH A PASSENGER.

NOTE:  THE PRIMER WAS NOT USED DURING THE SECOND START.

AFTER A NORMAL RUN-UP AND SYSTEMS CHECK, THE AIRCRAFT TOOK-OFF AND HEADED TO A THIRD AIRPORT BEFORE RETURNING HOME.

DURING CRUISE AT ABOUT 6500 FEET MSL, THE PILOT ADDED ENGINE POWER IN ANTICIPATION OF CLIMBING OVER A MOUNTAIN RIDGE.

THE PILOT STATED ?AS I PUSHED THE THROTTLE FORWARD THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND TO POWER IMPUT.  AFTER PUMPING THE THROTTLE NUMEROUS TIMES IT BEGAN TO COME BACK TO LIFE BUT AT THAT POINT WE HAD LOST AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE".

THE AIRCRAFT HIT TWO TREES AT ABOUT THE 5300 FOOT LEVEL AND WEDGED BETWEEN THE TREES SOFTENING THE IMPACT.

POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE PRIMER WAS IN THE UNLOCKED AND EXTENDED POSITION.

ADDITIONALLY, EXAMINATION OF THE SPARK PLUGS INDICATED A RICH MIXTURE CONDITION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR14LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA315), Jul 27, 2014: Ercoupe 415 C (N2013H), Susanville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to follow the checklist while starting the engine and to lock the engine primer plunger, which resulted in the partial loss of engine power during cruise flight in high density…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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