# NTSB FTW92LA139: Ercoupe 415-CD, N3454H, Van, TX, May 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1992, 19:10 local (May 22, 1992, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Van, TX
- Coordinates: 32.519069, -95.630119 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5191&lon=-95.6301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA139

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE 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(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD, THE AIRPLANE FLEW UNDER POWER LINES AND COLLIDED WITH THE LOWER SET OF WIRES. THE WIRES SEVERED THE RIGHT ELEVATOR CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE FAA COORDINATOR FOUND NO FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE AND SAW NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3454H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3454H), registered now, S/N 4079, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-CD
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-cd) (registry code 0420324) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4079
- Airframe hours: 9542
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Trudy M. Bear
- Registered owner: Trudy M. Bear
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1991, 116 hours before
- Departed: TYR, TYLER, TX
- Destination: TYR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 216 total, 152 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYR, 15 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 19920521015549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920521015549A), May 21, 1992: Univar 415CD, Van, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power,struck wires. Crashed trying for a rough field. Caught wires trying go under. Fuel tanks were empty.

## Other investigations on N3454H (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 LAX69F0283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0283), Mar 8, 1969: Ercoupe 415-CD (N3454H), Sunset Beach, CA, 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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