# NTSB IAD04LA039: Ercoupe 415-C, N3771H, Pemberton, NJ, August 17, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 2004, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Pemberton, NJ - Coordinates: 39.981945, -74.692497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9819&lon=-74.6925&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59926 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD04LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59926/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04LA039 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot conducted a preflight inspection, and the airplane's right fuel tank was filled to "one inch from the top." The pilot then conducted a run-up check of the engine, and taxied the airplane into position for takeoff. The takeoff proceeded normally until about 200 feet above the ground. As the airplane began to pass above trees beyond the departure end of the runway, there was a total loss of engine power. The airplane then settled into the trees, spun 180-degrees, and fell to the ground in a nose-down attitude, coming to rest upside down. The pilot and the passenger both observed fuel running out of the header tank. An examination of the airplane's engine and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies, and calculations revealed no probability of carburetor icing. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 2004, about 1200 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N3771H, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Pemberton Airport (3N7), Pemberton, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the airplane was not operating on a flight plan. The local personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a written statement submitted by the pilot, he conducted a preflight inspection, then taxied the airplane to the fueling area where his passenger fueled the right fuel tank to "one inch from the top." The pilot subsequently performed a run-up check of the engine, then taxied the airplane into position for takeoff. The takeoff was normal until about 200 feet above the ground. As the airplane began to pass above trees beyond the departure end of the runway, the pilot felt a "very slight roll," and the airplane "seemed to want to turn slightly to the right." The pilot initially thought he had encountered a downdraft, but later determined that the engine had lost all power. The airplane then ceased climbing and began to settle. In an effort to keep the nose from settling any lower, the pilot applied additional backpressure on the elevator control. He continued to apply backpressure until the elevator control reached its aft limit; however, the airplane continued to settle. The pilot attempted to slow the airplane and land on top of the trees below, but the airplane contacted a tree, spun around 180-degrees, and fell to the ground in a nose-down attitude. The airplane came to rest upside down. While the pilot and the passenger were exiting the airplane, they observed fuel running out of the header tank. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, an examination of the airplane's engine and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies. The pilot did not return the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Report, which would have included pilot flight times and airplane information, including inspections. The FAA inspector subsequently discovered that the pilot had died about 1 month after the accident from causes unrelated to it. The weather reported at McGuire Air Force Base (WRI), Wrightstown, New Jersey, about 5 nautical miles east, at 1155, included winds from 040 degrees at 3 knots, 7 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 3,000 feet, broken clouds at 12,000 feet, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.13 inches of mercury. A carburetor probability diagram indicated no probability of carburetor icing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3771H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3771H), registered now, S/N 4396, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 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: 4396 - Engines: Continental C75 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 3N7, Pemberton, NJ - Airport: 3N7, Pemberton Airport, runway 22, 2,568 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 120 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: WRI, 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 20040817035089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040817035089A), Aug 17, 2004: Univar 415C, Pemberton, NJ, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] ^ stated that after runup and normal short taxi to end of runway, he applied power and accelerated normally and lifted… ## Other investigations on N3771H (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 NYC72FHD14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FHD14), Aug 28, 1971: Erco 415-C (N3771H), Pemberton, NJ, 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. --- 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.