# NTSB FTW83LA309: Ercoupe 415-C, N93624, Elk City, OK, June 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1983, 21:30 local (Jun 30, 1983, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Elk City, OK
- Location: 35.4308° N, 99.3943° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELK CITY RGNL BUSINESS (ELK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4308&lon=-99.3943&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA309

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY DURING A NIGHT LANDING FOLLOWING A X-COUNTRY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS ON THE APPROACH TO LAND AND ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER. THE ENGINE SPUTTERED WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN POWER. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 5 FT SHORT OF THE RWY COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. IN CHECKING THE FUEL AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT FOUND WATER IN THE FUEL. HE HAD REFUELED ABOUT ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ACFT SERVICED AT THE SAME FACILITY BEFORE AND AFTER THE ACCIDENT ACFT EXPERIENCED NO POWER LOSSES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93624](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93624), registered now, S/N 947, 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: 947
- Airframe hours: 2398
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don D. Tompkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1983
- Departed: GAG, GAGE, OK
- Airport: ELK, Elk City, runway 17, 4,425 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 224 total, 224 in this make and model, 122 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 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 19830629074349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830629074349A), Jun 29, 1983: Univar 415C, Elk City, OK, Substantial damage. Pilot claimed engine did not respond and aircraft landed short during night landing.

## Other investigations on N93624 (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 MKC69D0204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69D0204), Jul 1, 1968: Erco 415-C (N93624), Stilwell, KS, substantial damage

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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