# NTSB CHI90LA243: Ercoupe Ercoupe 415-C, N2977H, Hamburg, MI, August 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1990, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Hamburg, MI
- Coordinates: 42.449707, -83.809852 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4497&lon=-83.8099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA243

## Probable cause

POWERPLANT FAILURE DUE TO FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE CARBURETOR RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,carburetor - foreign object (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT ABOUT 2500 FT MSL THE ENGINE RPM REDUCED TO IDLE. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION  WITH POWER LINES, THEN THE TERRAIN. THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE REMOVED FROM THE WRECKAGE BY THE EMERGENCY CREW USING, 'JAWS OF LIFE'. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A PIECE OF FOREIGN MATERIAL HAD LODGED IN THE MAIN CARBURETOR JET CAUSING THE FUEL RESTRICTION AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2977H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2977H-1996-01-10), registration cancelled 1996-01-10, S/N 3602 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-C (ERCOUPE 41)
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3602
- Airframe hours: 1673
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kussmaul, Richard R.
- Registered owner: Kussmaul, Richard R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1990, 39 hours before
- Departed: 45G, BRIGHTON, MI
- Destination: CLINTON, MI
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 68 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 30 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 19900825035959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900825035959A), Aug 25, 1990: Univar 415C, Hamburg, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Struck power line landing in school yard. Foreign material in carburetor blocked main fuel jet

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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