# NTSB BFO94LA001: Univair Ercoupe 415E, N94440, Willis, VA, November 1, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 1, 1993, 08:49 local (13:49 UTC) - Place: Willis, VA - Coordinates: 36.850074, -80.480155 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8501&lon=-80.4802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8861/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA001 ## Probable cause the failure of the airplane's throttle cable fitting due to undetermined reasons, which prevented the pilot from applying power above engine idle. A factor in this accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the pilot to complete a forced landing without damaging the airplane. ## 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 - normal - throttle/power lever,linkage - failure,total (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - throttle/power control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - vehicle ## Analysis The pilot reported that while cruising at an altitude of 3,500 feet mean sea level, he attempted to increase power. He said that at that point, he lost throttle control and the engine went to idle. The pilot executed a forced landing and collided with the top of automobile in a residential area during the landing. Because of the mountainous, forested terrain he said he was unable to reach a suitable landing area. An examination of the airplane revealed the throttle cable assembly fitting failed and separated from its housing which prevented the pilot from manipulating the throttle. ## Factual narrative On November 1, 1993, about 0849 hours eastern standard time, a Univair Ercoupe 415E, N94440 collided with objects at the termination of a forced landing. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The certificated private pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight, being operated by the pilot/owner, originated in Blacksburg, Virginia and was destined for Apalachicola, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. An FAA safety inspector examined the airplane on scene and interviewed the pilot. The pilot said that when he reduced power, the throttle cable assembly became loose. He said that he could not regain power and that the power remained at idle. An examination conducted by the FAA safety inspector revealed a throttle cable assembly fitting separated from its housing which would not allow the pilot to manipulate the throttle. In his written report, the pilot added that because of mountainous terrain, he was unable to reach suitable terrain to complete the forced landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94440](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94440-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 5012, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: UNIVAIR ERCOUPE 415E (ERCOUPE 41) - Registry model: [Ercoupe E](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-e) (registry code 0420504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5012 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leonard Romanik - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BCB, BLACKSBURG, VA - Destination: AAF, APPALACHICOLA, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,332 total, 79 in this make and model, 1,332 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 5° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19931101042149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931101042149A), Nov 1, 1993: Univar 415E, Willis, VA, Substantial damage. Throttle cable disconnected. Engine idled. Collided with objects in hilly country on forced landing. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.