# NTSB FTW02LA168: Ercoupe ERCO-415-E, N94769, Conway, AR, May 31, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2002, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Conway, AR - Coordinates: 35.080554, -92.42472 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0806&lon=-92.4247&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54822 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54822/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54822 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA168 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were the pilots necessity to avoid a power line during the emergency descent and 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, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - crop - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The engine lost power after takeoff at an altitude of 150-200 feet. The pilot stated that the engine RPM's went from full, down to 800 RPM's. After pulling up over power lines at the end of the runway, he maneuvered the airplane into a hay field. Subsequently, the hard landing resulted in structural damage to the fuselage. ## Factual narrative **This report was modified on 6/21/2011; please see the public docket for this accident to see earlier versions of this report.** On May 31, 2002, approximately 1400 central daylight time, an Ercoupe ERCO-415-E single-engine airplane, N94769, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Dennis F Cantrell Field Airport, Conway, Arkansas. The private pilot and his 1 passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plane was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to information provided in the enclosed NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) and a telephone interview, the pilot reported that the engine lost power after takeoff at an altitude of 150-200 feet. He stated that the engine RPM's went from full, down to 800 RPM's. After pulling up over power lines at the end of the runway, he maneuvered the airplane into a hay field. Subsequently, the hard landing resulted in structural damage to the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94769](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94769-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 4880, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe ERCO-415-E - Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-E](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-e) (registry code 0420308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 234 - Airframe hours: 5000 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dr. Webb Sentell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2002, 15 hours before - Departed: M03, Conway, AR - Destination: M03, Conway, AR - Airport: M03, Dennis Cantrell Field, runway 36, 3,278 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 16, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 151 total, 89 in this make and model, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg ## 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 20020531013399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020531013399A), May 31, 2002: Univar 415E, Conway, AR, No damage. (-23) On may 31, 2002 at 1400 hours CST, a Ercoupe 415-E, N94769, impacted the ground upon takeoff from the airport at Conway, AR (M03). The private pilot and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 10, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54822. 484 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 479 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40176255&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - 6-21-2011 Revisions to Factual Report (item 2, .PDF, 5 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349842&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=6-21-2011%20Revisions%20to%20Factual%20Report-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.