# NTSB LAX91LA196: Ercoupe 415C, N99893, King City, CA, May 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1991, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: King City, CA
- Coordinates: 36.199226, -120.93927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1992&lon=-120.9393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27192
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27192/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA196

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED FROM THE DRAIN VALVE FITTING ON A NEWLY INSTALLED GASCOLATOR DISLODGING DURING CRUISE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fuel system,drain - disengaged (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, unknown
  - fluid,fuel - dumped
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING DURING A PERSONAL FLIGHT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A DIRT FIELD, AND DURING ROLLOUT NOSED OVER.  THE EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE DRAIN VALVE FITTING IN THE GASCOLATOR WAS MISSING.  IT HAD PROBABLY BECOME DISLODGED DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GASCOLATOR WAS NEW AND PROVIDED RECORDS INDICATING THAT IT HAD BEEN INSTALLED 7 OPERATIONAL HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99893](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99893-1993-09-07), registration cancelled 1993-09-07, S/N 2516 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2516
- Airframe hours: 1991
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald W. Woollard
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1991, 7 hours before
- Departed: KIC, KING CITY, CA
- Destination: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 350 total, 60 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910505014279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910505014279A), May 5, 1991: Univar STC415, King City, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Nosed over landing in dirt field. Recent installed gascolator became dislodged.

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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