# NTSB LAX88LA151: Ercoupe 415-C, N99373, Palo Alto, CA, April 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1988, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.410861, -122.129768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4109&lon=-122.1298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - corroded (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT IN THE PATTERN, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT WATER WAS IN THE FUEL PUMP BOWL AND RUST WAS PRESENT ON THE CYLINDERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99373](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99373), registered now, S/N 1996, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 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: 1996
- Airframe hours: 1750
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Juan M. Rodriquez
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1988, 4 hours before
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 162 total, 4 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO, 1 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 19880402007729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880402007729A), Apr 2, 1988: Univar 415C, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit in pattern. Hit a stand pipe on off airport landing. Plane was idle for years. Rust in fuel and engine.

## Other investigations on N99373 (2)

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 OAK70DVG17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70DVG17), Apr 25, 1970: Erco 415-C (N99373), Pope Valley, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK66F0010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66F0010), Jun 4, 1965: Ercoupe 415C (N99373), Concord, CA, 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.

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