# NTSB ERA10CA049: Ercoupe 415, N93659, Germantown, NY, November 4, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 4, 2009, 15:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Germantown, NY - Coordinates: 42.468055, -75.888885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4681&lon=-75.8889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75013/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75013 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA049 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue operation of the airplane with a known mechanical deficiency. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative; cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Ercoupe 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0420322), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had just purchased the accident airplane. After completing a familiarization flight with the previous owner, the pilot had the main fuel tanks topped off and then departed. After flying for 20 minutes, the pilot noticed that the header fuel tank indicator was showing empty. The pilot returned to the departure airport and told the previous owner that something was wrong with the fuel system. The owner informed him that it should be fine, and the pilot refueled the header fuel tank and departed again for his destination. During the flight the engine lost all power and the pilot conducted an emergency landing to a field. During landing the airplane flipped over inverted and was substantially damaged. An examination of the wreckage by a mechanic revealed that the fuel pump to the header tank was not operating at the correct flow rate. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he had just purchased the accident airplane. After completing a familiarization flight with the previous owner, the pilot had the main fuel tanks topped off and departed. After flying for 20 minutes, the pilot noticed that the header fuel tank indicator was showing empty. The pilot returned to the departure airport and told the previous owner that something was wrong with the fuel system. The owner informed him that it should be fine, and the pilot refueled the header fuel tank, and departed again for his destination. During the flight the engine lost all power and the pilot conducted an emergency landing to a field. During landing the airplane flipped over inverted and was substantially damaged. An examination of the wreckage by a mechanic revealed that the fuel pump to the header tank was not operating at the correct flow rate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93659](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93659), registered now, S/N 982, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415 (C) - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 982 - Airframe hours: 2419 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jay D. Morriset - Registered owner: Jay D. Morriset - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2009 - Departed: CON, Concord, NH - Destination: 20N, Kingston-Ulster, NY - Airport: K20N, Kingston-Ulster Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 7, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 425 total, 3 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KPOU, 10 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 20091104050899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091104050899A), Nov 4, 2009: Ercoupe 415-C, Germantown, NY, Substantial damage. After takeoff, and while in cruise flight, the pilot noticed that the "header" tank failed to fill, resulting in full starvation of the enigne and loss of… ## Other investigations on N93659 (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 NYC74FNC05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74FNC05), Jul 8, 1973: Erco 415-C (N93659), Highgate, VT, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75013. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 572 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Fuel Pump Test Statement (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Pump%20Test%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Wreckage - Courtesy of FAA (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Wreckage%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.