# NTSB CHI00LA086: Alon Ercoupe, N6560Q, Osceola, IA, March 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 2000, 14:06 local (20:06 UTC) - Place: Osceola, IA - Coordinates: 41.029869, -93.769241 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0299&lon=-93.7692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48723 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48723/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA086 ## Probable cause fuel starvation due to an undetermined blockage in the fuel line from the header tank to the gascolator. Factors relating to this accident were the blocked fuel line and the rough terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system,line - blocked(total) (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported there was about eight gallons of fuel in each of the wing tanks and about five gallons in the header tank. He reported everything appeared normal after he had conducted his preflight and the before takeoff checks. He reported, 'At about 250-300 feet above ground level the engine ceased to make any power.' The pilot was unable to restart the engine. The pilot elected to land in a bean field. The airplane nosed over in the field during landing rollout. Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel line from the header tank to the gascolator was blocked prior to the firewall. The reason for the blockage was undetermined. No other anomalies with the airplane were found. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 2000, at 1406 central standard time, a Alon Ercoupe, N6560Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power while on downwind after takeoff. The airplane landed in a bean field and nosed over. The commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight had departed Osceola Municipal Airport, Osceola, Iowa, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported there was about eight gallons of fuel in each of the wing tanks and about five gallons in the header tank. He reported everything appeared normal after he had conducted his preflight and the before takeoff checks. He reported, "At about 250-300 feet above ground level the engine ceased to make any power." The pilot was unable to restart the engine. The pilot elected to land in a bean field. The airplane nosed over in the field during landing rollout. Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel line from the header tank to the gascolator was restricted prior to the reaching the firewall. The reason for the blockage was undetermined. No other anomalies with the airplane were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6560Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6560Q-2000-08-25), registration cancelled 2000-08-25, S/N A-60 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Alon ERCOUPE - Registry model: [Alon A2](https://openairdocs.org/model/alon-a2) (registry code 0540102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A60 - Airframe hours: 1864 - Engines: Continental C-90-16F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Friday Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1990, 50 hours before - Departed: I75, OSCEOLA, IA - Airport: I75, Osceola ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,973 total, 213 in this make and model, 1,953 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CNC, 25 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 20000305012169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000305012169A), Mar 5, 2000: Osceola, IA, No damage. (-23) Mr. Donald waltz experienced a power loss on climb out from rwy 18 at approx. 300'AGL. He then tried to turn back to the airport, after 270 degrees of… 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.