# NTSB LAX84FA028: Ercoupe 415-CD, N3630H, Compton, CA, October 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1983, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Compton, CA
- Coordinates: 33.869579, -118.209365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8696&lon=-118.2094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA028

## 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
  - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,modification - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not issued, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - improper (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS ON TAKEOFF & WAS DEMOLISHED IN THE IMPACT SEQUENCE & POST CRASH FIRE. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL INTERVIEWEES THE PILOT HAD PERFORMED EXTENSIVE NON-STC'D MODIFICATIONS TO THE ACFT INCLUDING THE FUEL SYSTEM.AN 'AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE COMPUTER' REQUIRING A FUEL FLOW TRANSDUCER WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, WOULD NOT WORK ON A GRAVITY FED SYSTEM. A FUEL PUMP FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FUEL TRANSFER DUMP DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE OUTPUT FLOW TO ZERO AT ITS MAXIMUM OUTPUT LINE PRESSURE OF 4.5 PSI. THE TRANSDUCER WOULD HAVE REDUCED THE FUEL OUTPUT FLOW TO A 'TRICKLE'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3630H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3630H-1994-12-27), registration cancelled 1994-12-27, S/N 4255 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-CD
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-cd) (registry code 0420304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4255
- Airframe hours: 2922
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-16F 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph W. Figueras
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1983, 45 hours before
- Departed: COMPTON, CA
- Airport: CPM, Compton, runway 25L, 3,670 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,475 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,425 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 6 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 19831023075069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831023075069A), Oct 23, 1983: Univar 415CD, Compton, CA, Destroyed. Engine lost power on climbout. Crashed into a house off end of runway. Pilot-installed fuel computer blocked fuel.

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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