# NTSB FTW97LA296: Ercoupe Ercoupe 415-C, N2899H, Harrison, AR, August 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1997, 20:18 local (Aug 2, 1997, 01:18 UTC) - Place: Harrison, AR - Coordinates: 36.240726, -93.10987 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2407&lon=-93.1099&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 May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA296 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20303/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA296 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A factor was 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, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The pilot was performing his fourth touch-and-go at the airport when the engine lost power just after takeoff, approximately 150 feet AGL, and a forced landing was executed on airport property. The pilot was unable to land straight ahead due to REILs located at the end of the runway. The pilot elected to land the airplane on a taxiway that extends to the east of the departure end of the runway. The pilot banked the airplane to the left, while descending, to align the airplane with the taxiway. The pilot reported that the propeller continued to windmill during the forced landing. The airplane contacted the taxiway and traveled 40 feet before exiting onto the grass. The airplane traveled an additional 150 feet at which point the nose gear 'dug in[to the ground].' Subsequently, the airplane came to rest inverted. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1997, at 2018 central daylight time, an Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C airplane, N2899H, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power during takeoff at the Boone County Airport, Harrison, Arkansas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed for the flight which originated at 2000. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that this airplane previously had a "slight oil leak around the front of the crankshaft." The pilot reported that after flying for about thirty minutes, a mist would appear on the windshield. Subsequently, the nose seal was replaced two times, the latter on July 31, 1997. On the day of the accident the pilot stated that he inquired with the mechanic, and the mechanic indicated that the misting "could just be residual [oil] from the engine." The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and then obtained weather information from the automated surface observation system (ASOS). The pilot was executing touch-and-go landings at the Boone County Airport when the accident occurred. The first three touch-and-go's were uneventful, with no misting of oil appearing on the wind screen. During the fourth takeoff, approximately 150 feet AGL, the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he was unable to land straight ahead due to the runway end identifier lights (REILs) located at the departure end of the runway. The pilot elected to land on a taxiway that extends east from the end of the runway. The pilot turned the aircraft to the left, while descending, to align the aircraft with the taxiway. The pilot reported that the propeller continued to windmill during the forced landing. The pilot reported that the airplane contacted the taxiway and traveled approximately 40 feet on the taxiway before exiting onto the grass. The airplane continued another 150 feet on the grass before the nose gear "dug in[to the ground]." Subsequently, the airplane came to rest inverted. Two witnesses, who were on the ground, observed the aircraft flying east, near the south end of the runway, and trying to land. Both witnesses report that the engine was not operating. The FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site and reported that the engine mount and firewall were buckled and the nose gear was folded under the cowling. The left wing, and horizontal stabilizer sustained structural damage. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: N2899H (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-C (ERCOUPE 41) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3524 - Airframe hours: 2198 - Engines: Continental C75-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wilbur W. Anderson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1997, 10 hours before - Departed: HRO - Airport: HRO, Boone County, runway 18, 6,161 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 888 total, 12 in this make and model, 840 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 160° at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 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 19970802020439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970802020439A), Aug 2, 1997: Univar 415C, Harrison, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Damage engine mount and firewall. Folded nose gear wing and tail damage landing. (-23) on August 01, 1997, at approximately 20:15 cdst,… 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.