# NTSB CHI85LA172: Ercoupe 415-CD, N94740, St. Paul, MN, April 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1985, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.949512, -93.090843 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9495&lon=-93.0908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA172

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE CLIMBING THRU APRX 700 FT AGL, THE ENG DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION & A LOUD 'CLANKING' SOUND. THESE WERE FOLLOWED BY A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. DURING A SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING HIT A TREE & THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED ON ROUGH TERRAIN. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE, PN 3921, HAD FAILED NEAR THE STEM-HEAD. THE ENG HAD 1040 HRS IN SERVICE SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94740](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94740), registered now, S/N 4851, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-CD
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-cd) (registry code 0420314) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4851
- Airframe hours: 2788
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry J. Taxis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1985, 55 hours before
- Departed: STP
- Destination: FCM, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Airport: STP, Downtown Holman, runway 16, 4,429 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,591 total, 1,591 in this make and model, 1,553 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STP, 2 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 19850421015219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850421015219A), Apr 21, 1985: Univar 415CD, South St Paul, MN, Substantial damage. Engine developed loud clanking sound after takeoff. Nose gear collapsed in rough field. Exhaust valve separated.

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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