# NTSB LAX80DVG05: Erco 415-C, N93420, Cottonwood, CA, October 31, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 31, 1980
- Place: Cottonwood, CA · COTTONWOOD, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128546
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DVG05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DVG05-128546

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2783  80/10/31   COTTONWOOD,CA       ERCO 415-C          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 48, 202
        TIME - 1730                    N93420              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 115 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FLYING N RANCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          HEALDSBURG,CA               RETURN                       REDDING,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPERLY SERVICED AIRCRAFT (OWNER-PILOT)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OIL EXHAUSTION-ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- OIL FILLER CAP WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93420](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93420), registered now, S/N 743, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Flying N Ranch

## 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 19801031066869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801031066869A), Oct 31, 1980: Univar 415C, Cottonwood, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to replace oil filler cap before takeoff. Engine siezed out of oil. Crash landed on private strip.

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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