# NTSB DEN93LA106: Ercoupe 415-C, N522BK, Palisade, CO, August 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1993, 11:42 local (17:42 UTC)
- Place: Palisade, CO
- Coordinates: 39.099498, -108.350151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0995&lon=-108.3502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11105/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA106

## Probable cause

PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING APPROACH FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

WHILE ON APPROACH, AT THE COMPLETION OF A FLIGHT A FROM A  LOCAL AIRPORT TO THE PILOT'S PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER AND THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING  SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION.  NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION COULD BE IDENTIFIED AND THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON  BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On August 29, 1993, at 1142 mountain daylight time, a Ercoupe 415-C, N522BK, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a field, while on approach to a private airstrip near Palisade, Colorado.  The private pilot received minor injuries, and his passenger no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, during the approach to his private airstrip, the engine decelerated to approximately 2,000 rpm and he could not remain airborne.  During landing roll, following the forced landing, the nose gear collapsed and the forward part of the fuselage was damaged.

Examination of the aircraft by FAA personnel failed to disclose any mechanical failure or malfunction.  The amount of fuel on board the aircraft at the time of the accident could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N522BK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N522BK-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 1490, built 1946 (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)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1490
- Airframe hours: 1175
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kibler, Ralph & Betty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1992, 4 hours before
- Departed: GJC, GRAND JUNCTION, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 366 total, 272 in this make and model, 366 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19930829035049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930829035049A), Aug 29, 1993: Univar 415C, Palisade, CO, Substantial damage. Flight from airport to pilots strip. Lost power on final. Crash landed short. Fuel status or engine defect unknown.

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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