# NTSB ATL89LA146: Ercoupe 415-C, N99766, Troy, NC, May 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1989, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Troy, NC
- Coordinates: 35.360874, -79.89019 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3609&lon=-79.8902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA146

## Probable cause

AN UNDETERMINED POWERPLANT PROBLEM, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND THE PILOT/MECHANIC'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PROPERLY INSPECTED BEFORE FLIGHT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S DELAY IN MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, AND OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) IN THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - precautionary landing - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER A LOW PASS OVER AN OPEN FIELD, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, CRASHED & BEGAN BURNING.  ONE WITNESS NOTED THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED THE AREA 2 OR 3 TIMES AT LOW ALT BEFORE THE ACDNT & THAT THE ENG WAS RUNNING ERRATICALLY.  THE WITNESS ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WERE SVRL OPEN FIELDS IN THE VICINITY.  AN EXAM REVEALED THE IGNITION SYS WIRES TO THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DETERIORATED.  NO OTHER PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACDNT; HOWEVER, THE ENG WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE.  THE LAST ANNUAL INSPN WAS ON 11/14/83; FLT TIME SINCE THEN WAS ABOUT 13 HRS. THE PLT WAS AN IA-RATED MECHANIC, WHO HAD BEEN HIRED BY THE NEW OWNER TO RETURN THE ACFT TO AN AIRWORTHY STATUS AND FERRY IT TO ANOTHER ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99766](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99766-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 2389, built 1946 (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: 2389
- Airframe hours: 1648
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Morgan, Kenneth H.
- Registered owner: Morgan, Kenneth H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 1983, 13 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ROBBINS, NC
- Destination: 3A3, WADESBORO, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 321 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 53 nm away

## 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 19890513011459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890513011459A), May 13, 1989: Univar 415C, Troy, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine losing power, crashed in area of trees. Ignition wire plugs in poor condition.

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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