# NTSB LAX00LA111: Ercoupe 415-C, N99590, San Bernardino, CA, February 27, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 2000, 16:20 local (Feb 27, 2000, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: San Bernardino, CA
- Coordinates: 33.799194, -116.359924 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7992&lon=-116.3599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48718
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48718/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA111

## Probable cause

the total failure of the engine number 1 cylinder exhaust valve.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing

## Analysis

The vintage airplane was in cruise flight when the engine began to run roughly, then lost power totally.  The pilot performed an off airport landing and collided with a fence.  Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the number 1 engine cylinder exhaust valve had failed at the valve neck.

## Factual narrative

On February 26, 2000, about 1620 hours Pacific standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N99590, was substantially damaged when it force landed in a field and collided with a fence at San Bernardino, California.  The airplane was owned and operated by the private pilot who was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91.  No flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at Riverside, California, at 1600, and was destined for Apple Valley, California.

The pilot reported that the engine began to vibrate during cruise flight, and then quit.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the number 1 engine cylinder's exhaust valve had failed at the neck of the valve.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that the pilot and the airplane were both properly certificated and in compliance with the regulations at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99590](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99590-2003-10-25), registration cancelled 2003-10-25, S/N 2213, built 1946 (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: 2213
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: Continental C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Caspary
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 2000, 6 hours before
- Departed: RIR, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Destination: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 670 total, 135 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 8 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 20000226004929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000226004929A), Feb 26, 2000: Univar 415C, San Bernardino, CA, Substantial damage. (.23) The pilot reported moderate vibrations of the engine at 2500', he said"I tried carburetor heat, but it made no difference". The pilot then diverted…

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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