# NTSB CHI91LA214: Ercoupe 415-C, N87169, Sparta, MI, July 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1991, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, MI
- Coordinates: 43.150466, -85.700866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1505&lon=-85.7009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15117
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15117/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA214

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REACH A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Undershoot, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE LOST ENGINE POWER ON DOWNWIND LEG. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE RUNWAY BUT LANDED SHORT, COLLIDING WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL SYSTEM TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87169](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87169-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 342, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 342
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James R. Reeds
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 8D4, Sparta, runway 24, 2,940 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 283 total, 30 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: GRR, 15 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 19910705026439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910705026439A), Jul 5, 1991: Univar 415C, Sparta, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind. Struck dirt bank short of runway. Fuel tanks had large amounts water including carb bowl.

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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