# NTSB DEN82DA181: Ercoupe 415C, N87141, Englewood, CO, September 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1982, 16:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Location: 39.6470° N, 104.9945° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Englewood, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6470&lon=-104.9945&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA181

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fuel system,line fitting - fatigue (cause)
  - fluid - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - fumes
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS DETECTED BY THE AIRCREW. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE AT REDUCED POWER, BUT THE SINK RATE WAS TOO GREAT TO REACH THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING A LANDING ON UNEVEN TERRAIN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A THREADED COUPLING BETWEEN THE GASCOLATOR AND CARBURETOR FAILED FROM FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87141](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87141-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 314, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 314
- Airframe hours: 2385
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Austin/Schweitzer/Murphy
- Registered owner: Austin/Schweitzer/Murphy
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Airport: APA, Arapahoe County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,343 total, 41 in this make and model, 5,731 as pilot in command, 241 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 183 °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 19820903044129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820903044129A), Sep 3, 1982: Univar 415C, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. Coupling between gasculator and carburetor broke causing interruption of fuel flow. Crashed during forced landing.

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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