# NTSB CHI94LA103: Ercoupe 415-C, N2965H, Frankfort, MI, March 11, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 11, 1994, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Frankfort, MI - Coordinates: 44.63063, -86.23085 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6306&lon=-86.2309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9481 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9481/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA103 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS FUEL CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON TAKEOFF. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS AT 100 FEET AGL DURING TAKEOFF ON A FLIGHT TO DELIVER THE AIRPLANE FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION WHEN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CONTACTED THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AUTO GAS STC APPROVED AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. DURING PREFLIGHT WITH THE AIRPLANE PARKED ON A SLOPE, NO WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE TANKS AND A PALE 1/2 INCH LAYER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLEAR GASCOLATOR BOWL WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT. INSPECTION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED APPROXIMATELY 1/4 INCH OF ICE INSIDE THE GASCOLATOR. FUEL SAMPLES FROM THE TANKS REVEALED WATER AND PARTICULATES. ## Factual narrative On March 11, 1994, at approximately 0845 hours eastern standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N2965H, operated by William Gras of Zeeland, Michigan, experienced a total loss of engine power, stalled and impacted the runway after takeoff from Frankfort City Airport, Frankfort, Michigan and was substantially damaged. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight and was originating at the time of the accident. The airplane landed in a nose down attitude and slid 89 feet along the runway. The engine, firewall and forward fuselage sustained substantial damage. The FAA Airworthiness Inspector on scene reported that the engine rotated freely by turning the propeller. The carburetor was destroyed during impact. FAA inspection revealed 1/4 inch of ice inside the gascolator immediately after the accident. The wing fuel tanks were ruptured. The nose fuel tank remained intact and was a source for fuel samples. Fuel samples revealed visible particulate contamination as well as visible water and ice particles. The pilot stated that he was aware of ice in the gascolator bowl, but felt it would not be a problem since it was in the bottom of the bowl. The pilot stated that the airplane had been tied down outside for the winter and last flown in the fall of 1993. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2965H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2965H-1995-07-13), registration cancelled 1995-07-13, S/N 3590 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3590 - Airframe hours: 1735 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William J. Gras - Registered owner: William J. Gras - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 1992, 42 hours before - Destination: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Airport: 3D4, Frankfort, runway 14, 3,240 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 835 total, 725 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GRR, 100 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 19940311004899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940311004899A), Mar 11, 1994: Univar 415C, Frankfort, MI, Substantial damage. Narrative: airworthiness- engine lost power right after take-off. FAR violation- the aircraft annual inspection expiered on 10-31-93 several a.d.'s were… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.