# Accident 20201206017189A: Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, South Boston, VA, December 6, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 6, 2020, 16:18 local time
- Place: South Boston, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.6987° N, 78.9014° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6987&lon=-78.9014&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2674H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2674H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C (registry code 0420312, https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-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: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415-C
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR A&C75 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 80 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA21LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA062) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201206017189A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT NOTICED HIS FLOAT TYPE FUEL GAUGE (MOUNTED ON THE AIRCRAFT NOSE) WAS SHOWING ABOUT HALF A TANK. THIS WAS INDICATING THE CENTER TANK FUEL LEVEL, NOT THE WING TANKS. HE MONITORED THE FUEL LEVEL AND STAYED LOCAL FOR HIS PRACTICE FLIGHT. FUEL LEVEL CONTINUED TO SHOW LESS AND LESS SO HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE FIELD. AT THIS TIME HIS ENGINE SPUTTERED AND HE LOST ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TROUBLESHOOT WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE LANDED ON A HIGHWAY 501. UPON LANDING HE ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY INTO A PARKING LOT AND STRUCK A STEEL MAIL BOX POST.

## 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 ERA21LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA062), Dec 6, 2020: Ercoupe 415 (N2674H), South Boston, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper installation of a fuel filter screen cover gasket, which resulted in its failure, fuel starvation, and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the…

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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