# NTSB FTW03LA123: Ercoupe 415-C, N93815, Ranger, TX, April 4, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 2003, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Ranger, TX - Coordinates: 32.452777, -98.682777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4528&lon=-98.6828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56755/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA123 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## 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 - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable - object - other - object - fence ## Analysis During the takeoff/initial climb there was a loss of engine power. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a telephone service box and a fence. The airplane was registered to the student pilot's father. On May 26, 1992, a third class medical certificate was issued to the student pilot who had logged 8.6 hours of flight. The student pilot departed the accident scene, and has not responded to FAA inquiries. To date, a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) had not been received by the Safety Board. The FAA inspector reported that the last annual inspection was performed on June 17, 1992. ## Factual narrative On April 4, 2003, approximately 1300 central standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C single-engine airplane, N93815, struck a telephone service box and a fence following a loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb near Ranger, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and flown by the student pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The student pilot, sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed for the local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. Local authorities reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, that during the takeoff/initial climb from runway 01 at the Ranger Municipal Airport (F23), the engine lost power. The airplane was found resting in a field, and the outboard portion of the left wing was separated from the airplane. The FAA inspector reported that the airplane was registered to the pilot's father. On May 26, 1992, a third class medical certificate was issued to the student pilot who had logged 8.6 hours of flight. Further, the pilot departed the accident scene, and has not responded to FAA inquiries. To date, a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) had not been received by the Safety Board. The FAA inspector reported that the last annual inspection was performed on June 17, 1992. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93815](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93815-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 1138, 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: 1138 - Engines: Continental C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jeff R. Krantz - Registered owner: Jim R. Krantz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1992 - Departed: F23, Ranger, TX - Airport: F23, Ranger Municipal, runway 01, 2,624 × 14 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 9 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: MWL, 25 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 20030404007409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030404007409A), Apr 4, 2003: Univar 415C, Ranger, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On 4/4/03 at approximately 13:00, a 1946 Ercoupe 415C, N93815 operated by jeff rodney krantz, lost power shortly after takeoff on a VFR flight from… 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.