# NTSB LAX91LA089: Ercoupe 415C, N99483, Pixley, CA, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1991, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Pixley, CA
- Coordinates: 35.949764, -119.309776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9498&lon=-119.3098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA089

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT IN CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE MAKE AND MODEL.

## 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 - final approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT, WITH A PASSENGER, WAS CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS TO EVALUATE THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO A PURCHASE.  THE PILOT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE AIRPLANE IN THE PREVIOUS 7 DAYS.  ON FINAL APPROACH AFTER EXECUTING SEVERAL TOUCH AND GO'S, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN QUIT.  THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE AIRPLANE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF AN ANNUAL INSPECTION THAT WAS NOT COMPLETED.  THE PREVIOUS ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 1988.  METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.  THE PILOT DID NOT INDICATE THE USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE DESCENT PHASE OF HIS LANDINGS.  NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99483](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99483-2006-03-14), registration cancelled 2006-03-14, S/N 2106, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- 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: 2106
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bill Tyson
- Registered owner: Donald Tyson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1991
- Destination: 0
- Airport: Q90, Pixlely

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 254 total, 4 in this make and model, 234 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIS, 30 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 19910203001419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203001419A), Feb 3, 1991: Univar 415C, Pixley, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final. Landed off airport and damaged by a ditch. No defects. Conditions good for carburetor icing.

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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