# NTSB CHI95LA004: Ercoupe 415-C, N99600, Cloverdale, IN, October 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1994, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Cloverdale, IN
- Coordinates: 39.519195, -86.789604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5192&lon=-86.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA004

## Probable cause

the total loss of engine power due to a blocked orifice in the fuel pump.  A related factor is the rough/uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fuel system,pump - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RESTRICTOR FITTING ORIFICE ON THE FUEL PUMP WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY CONTAMINATION, OBSTRUCTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS ACCOMPLISHED 3 1/2 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.  AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS USED IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On October 1, 1994, at 0900 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N99600, piloted by the student pilot/registered owner, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight in the vicinity of Cloverdale, Indiana.  The airplane sustained substantial damage during the ensuing forced landing on rough terrain.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from a private airstrip in Eminence, Indiana approximately 0830.

Postaccident examination revealed the header fuel tank was not receiving fuel through the fuel pump from the main fuel tanks.  The FAA Inspector stated "...Contamination was found in the restrictor fitting...on the fuel pump.  This contamination blocked the orifice...."  The contamination was described as a "...hard black piece."  The FAA Inspector stated the pilot used automotive fuel in the airplane.  The most recent maintenance on the airplane was an Annual Inspection performed June 21, 1994.  An FAA Inspector statement is appended.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99600](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99600), registered now, S/N 2223 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2223
- Airframe hours: 1926
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Blaydoe, John B.
- Registered owner: Blaydoe, John B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1994, 20 hours before
- Departed: NONE, EMINENCE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 105 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19941001047129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941001047129A), Oct 1, 1994: Univar 415C, Cloverdale, IN, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Landed rough terrain. Fuel pump oriface blocked by hard blank piece. Using auto fuel.

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.