# NTSB ATL88LA183: Ercoupe 415-C, N41886, Whiteville, NC, May 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1988, 20:27 local (May 24, 1988, 00:27 UTC)
- Place: Whiteville, NC
- Coordinates: 34.320262, -78.699729 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3203&lon=-78.6997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA183

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SKIP AND LOSE PWR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST ALL PWR AND THE STUDENT MADE A FORCED LDG IN A PLOWED FIELD. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LDG. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF ABOUT 2 OZ OF WATER IN THE FUEL STRAINER. IN ADDITION, BITS OF METAL WERE FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR IN THE MAIN METERING JET PASSAGEWAY. THE SOURCE OF THE METAL BITS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE METAL BITS WERE TOO LARGE TOO HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE FUEL STRAINER OR THE CARB FILTER SCREEN. THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED W/ AUTO GAS WHICH WAS OBTAINED AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT. THE USE OF AUTOGAS IN THE AIRPLANE WAS STC-APPROVED. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN OPERATED APPROX 123 HRS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION, 7 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41886](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41886-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 116, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 116
- Airframe hours: 2323
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bennie J. Ward
- Registered owner: Ward, Bennie J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1987, 123 hours before
- Departed: 60J, OCEAN ISLE BCH, NC
- Destination: CPC, WHITEVILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 37 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880523022559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880523022559A), May 23, 1988: Univar STC415, Whiteville, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Nosed over landing off airport. Found metal particles in carburetor and water in fuel.

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.

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