# NTSB CHI99LA210: Ercoupe 415-CD, N127G, Jacksonville, IL, July 4, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1999, 09:23 local (14:23 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, IL - Coordinates: 39.72018, -90.230316 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7202&lon=-90.2303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46696/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA210 ## Probable cause A material defect in the sloshing compound. Factors were the blocked fuel system, inspection not identifying material defect, and the crop field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - fuel system,line - blocked(total) (contributing factor) - maintenance,inspection - not identified, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - material defect, unknown (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that the airplane was climbing through 2,000 feet mean sea level when the engine lost power. He said that he conducted a forced landing in a cornfield, at which time the airplane was substantially damaged. An inspection of the airplane subsequent to the accident found material in the fuel line between the header tank and gascolator blocking the flow of fuel. The material was the consistency of sloshing compound also found in the fuel tank. No record could be found indicating when the tank was sealed with sloshing compound. The most recent annual inspection was conducted on October 19, 1998. The airplane had accumulated 32 hours time in service since that inspection. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1999, at 0923 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-CD, N127G, registered to and operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following loss of engine power near Jacksonville, Illinois. The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Jacksonville Airport at 0912, with the stated destination of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The pilot said that the airplane was climbing through 2,000 feet mean sea level when the engine encountered a loss of power. He said that he conducted a forced landing in a cornfield, at which time the airplane sustained substantial damage. An inspection of the airplane subsequent to the accident found material in the fuel line between the header tank and gascolator blocking the flow of fuel. The material was the consistency of sloshing compound also found in the fuel tank. No record could be found indicating when the tank was sealed with sloshing compound. The most recent annual inspection was conducted on October 19, 1998. The airplane had accumulated 32 hours time in service since that inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N127G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N127G), registered now, S/N 4795, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-CD - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-cd) (registry code 0420324) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4795 - Airframe hours: 2140 - Engines: Continental C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dale D. Buttermore - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1998, 32 hours before - Departed: IJX, IL - Destination: 9D9, HASTINGS, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 390 total, 285 in this make and model, 321 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IJX, 2 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 19990704017259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990704017259A), Jul 4, 1999: Univar 415CD, Jacksonville, IL, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 4, 1999, at 1200 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-CD, N127G, registered to and operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage… ## Other investigations on N127G (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN11CA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA191), Jan 30, 2011: Ercoupe 415-CD (N127G), Newaygo, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff from a frozen lake. 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.