# NTSB GAA20CA031: Ercoupe 415, N2585H, Alvin, TX, October 17, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 17, 2019, 10:12 local (15:12 UTC) - Place: Alvin, TX - Coordinates: 29.451389, -95.302497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4514&lon=-95.3025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100448 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100448/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100448 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and an off-airport landing, during which the airplane landed hard and then ground looped. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0420312), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before departure, he fueled the airplane to full capacity (24 gallons). He added that, about 3 hours 36 minutes into the flight, upon descending to 2,000 ft, the engine began to run roughly. He reported that, for about 5 minutes, the engine fluctuated between running roughly and intermittently before quitting entirely. He decided to land in a subdivision. During the "high speed flare," he observed the left wing was approaching a light pole, so he "drove the yoke right." The airplane landed hard, and he applied hard braking. The right wheel hit the curb, and the right wing impacted a fence. He saw another light pole and added left yoke input. The airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that he examined the fuel tanks and found no visible signs of fuel. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, prior to departure, he fueled the airplane to full capacity (24 gallons). He added that, about 3 hours and 36 minutes into the flight, upon descending to 2,000 ft, the engine began to run rough. He reported that over the span of about 5 minutes, it fluctuated between running rough and intermittent before quitting entirely. He decided to land in a subdivision. During the "high speed flare", he observed the left wing was approaching a light pole, so he "drove the yoke right." The airplane landed hard and he applied hard braking. The right wheel hit the curb and the right wing impacted a mud fence. He saw another light pole and added left yoke input. The airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the fuel tanks were inspected upon arrival and there were no visible signs of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2585H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2585H-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 2721, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe 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: 2721 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3021.6 - Engines: Continental A&C75 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2019 - Departed: SOA, Sonora, TX - Destination: LVJ, Houston, TX - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 2, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 314.8 total, 62.4 in this make and model, 314.8 as pilot in command, 20.2 in the last 90 days, 20.2 in the last 30 days, 3.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KLVJ, 5 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 20191017023729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191017023729A), Oct 17, 2019: Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C, Alvin, TX, Substantial damage. On 10/17/2019 the pilot departed sonora, TX (soa) enroute to pearland, TX (lvj) in aircraft N2585H. When the pilot was getting close to the destination, he… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100448. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.