# NTSB CHI93LA005: Univair 415C, N99256, Waukesha, WI, October 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1992, 15:19 local (20:19 UTC)
- Place: Waukesha, WI
- Location: 43.0091° N, 88.2451° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waukesha, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0091&lon=-88.2451&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA005

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTIONS AND HIS MISJUDGED EMERGENCY PROCEDURE (APPROACH TO LANDING).

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel system,tank - not switched
  - fuel consumption calculations - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS NEARING A CONTROLLED AIRPORT AT 3000' AGL WHEN THE ENGINE BEGIN TO LOSE POWER. THE ENGINE SOON QUIT, AND THE PILOT MADE AN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 36. HE MISJUDGED HIS APPROACH, OVERSHOT FINAL APPROACH, AND LANDED IN SOFT TERRAIN ADJACENT TO RUNWAY 36. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE DISCLOSED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES. THE MAIN FUSELAGE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY OF USABLE FUEL. THE WING TANKS WERE NEARLY FULL, BUT  THE SELECTOR SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS THE FUEL FLOW FROM THE WING TANKS TO THE FUSELAGE TANK WAS FOUND IN THE 'OFF' POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99256](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99256-1993-12-06), registration cancelled 1993-12-06, S/N 1879 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: UNIVAIR 415C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1879
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carter Aero Club
- Registered owner: Carter Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: CGX, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: 92C, PULASKI, WI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EUS, Waukesha County, runway 36, 3,599 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 74 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UES, 1 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 19921005041089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921005041089A), Oct 5, 1992: Univar 415C, Waukesha, WI, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion near destination overshot runway turning final and crashed nose full tank empty. Mains turned off.

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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