# NTSB CHI83LA208: Ercoupe 415-C, N3355H, Ceresco, MI, May 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1983, 19:23 local (23:23 UTC)
- Place: Ceresco, MI
- Coordinates: 42.269096, -85.060485 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2691&lon=-85.0605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - carburetor heat control - loose (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS NORMAL UNTIL HE WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND. THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOOSE TOO MUCH ALTITUDE, SO HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE, THEN THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT THE TOP OF A TREE SHORT OF THE RWY, THEN CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT CABLE WAS LOOSE & HEAVY SOOT DEPOSITS WERE FOUND IN THE EXHAUST STACKS & ON THE SPARK PLUGS. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 74 & 42 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING COULD OCCUR AT GLIDE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3355H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3980
- Airframe hours: 1276
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George B. Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1982
- Airport: RLA, Ray Farm, runway 27, 1,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 81 total, 28 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTL, 4 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 19830511018629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830511018629A), May 11, 1983: Univar 415C, Ceresco, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final. Struck trees and dived into ground. Carburetor heat cable worn and loose. Sooted spark plugs.

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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