# NTSB CHI08CA056: Ercoupe 415D, N94131, Abingdon, IL, December 29, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 29, 2007, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Abingdon, IL - Coordinates: 40.79972, -90.438613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7997&lon=-90.4386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Springfield, IL - NTSB case key (mKey): 67477 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67477/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA056 ## Probable cause The loose clamp on the throttle cable which prevented application of engine power. A factor in the accident was the low altitude when the throttle cable slipped. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - throttle/power lever,cable - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground - altitude - low (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he performed a fly-by at a restricted landing area and when he applied power the engine did not respond. He attempted a 180 degree turn to land on the runway in the opposite direction, but the right wing tip struck the ground prior to the completion of the turn. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that a clamp attached to the engine mount that secured the throttle cable to the engine mount structure had rotated. This prevented the opening of the carburetor butterfly when the throttle was advanced. Additional information obtained during the investigation revealed that the pilot's most recent application for a medical certificate was denied on November 14, 2003. Federal Aviation Administration regulations state that a person operating a airplane as a light sport aircraft must have been found eligible for the issuance of at least a third-class airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent application if that person has applied for a medical certificate in the past. In addition, the accident airplane, an Ercoupe 415D, which has a maximum gross weight of 1,400 pounds, does not comply with the 1,320 pound maximum gross weight limitation prescribed in the regulations. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he performed a fly-by at a restricted landing area and when he applied power the engine did not respond. He attempted a 180 degree turn to land on the runway in the opposite direction, but the right wing tip struck the ground prior to the completion of the turn. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that a clamp attached to the engine mount that secured the throttle cable to the engine mount structure had rotated. This prevented the opening of the carburetor butterfly when the throttle was advanced. Additional information obtained during the investigation revealed that the pilot's most recent application for a medical certificate was denied on November 14, 2003. Federal Aviation Administration regulations state that a person operating a airplane as a light sport aircraft must have been found eligible for the issuance of at least a third-class airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent application if that person has applied for a medical certificate in the past. In addition, the accident airplane, an Ercoupe 415D, which has a maximum gross weight of 1,400 pounds, does not comply with the 1,320 pound maximum gross weight limitation prescribed in the regulations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94131](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94131), registered now, S/N 1454, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415D - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1454 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GBG, GALESBURG, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; last flight review September 1, 2006; flight hours: 710 total, 164 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20071229831919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071229831919A), Dec 29, 2007: Univar 415C, Abingdon, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot and passenger departed gbg at 1505 for a local pleasure flight. Pilot shot a practice approach to wolford rla wth no intentions of landing. After… 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.