- Date
- December 9, 1990, 13:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place
- Madera, CA
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N3080HErcoupe 415-C
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 12, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19901209053239A
- Case key
- 27074
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Engine failure due to a plugged vent line, affecting the ability of the system to transfer fuel to the main tank.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot of a engineering research 415-C aircraft experienced engine failure during cruise. The pilot stated he noticed the fuel sight gauge on the fuselage fuel tank going down more rapidly than normal. At this time he started down to land at Madera, California; however, the engine quit and he was unable to make the airport. Investigation disclosed a plugged vent line on the right fuel tank. There was an unquantified amount of fuel remaining in the left fuel tank.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3080H
- Reported as
- Ercoupe 415-C
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 3705
- Engine
- Continental C-85-12F, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Fritscher, Grant C.
- Departed
- 045 · Vacaville, CA
- Destination
- L45 · Bakersfield, CA
- Flight plan
- VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 69
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 850 total · 850 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.