# NTSB LAX92LA272: Ercoupe 415C, N3165H, Santa Clarita, CA, June 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1992, 12:09 local (19:09 UTC)
- Place: Santa Clarita, CA
- Location: 34.3917° N, 118.5426° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Clarita, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3917&lon=-118.5426&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA272

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE FUEL GASCOLATOR BOWL DUE TO IMPROPER COMPONENT INSTALLATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,strainer - not secured (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,rebuild/remanufacture - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT, WHO IS AN A&P MECHANIC, SAID HE BOUGHT THE AIRCRAFT AND COMPLETELY REBUILT IT 15 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN LEVEL CRUISE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER, THEN REDUCED TO IDLE. ALL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD AND COLLIDED WITH HIGH SAGE BRUSH AND SMALL TREES. FAA INSPECTORS CONDUCTED AN ONSITE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE GASCOLATOR BOWL WAS FOUND TO BE MISSING FROM THE FIREWALL MOUNT AND COULD NOT BE LOCATED AT THE SITE DURING A SEARCH OF THE AIRCRAFT GROUND ROLL PATH. DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE AREA AROUND THE MOUNTING LOCATION ON THE FIREWALL REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3165H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3165H), registered now, S/N 3790, 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3790
- Airframe hours: 3025
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hernan D. Posada
- Registered owner: Hernan D. Posada
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: L70, AGUA DULCE, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 9 in this make and model, 78 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920630022649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920630022649A), Jun 30, 1992: Univar 415C, Santa Clarita, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Landed in tall vegetation. Gascolator bowl missing. Aircraft completely rebuilt 15 hrs. Prior to crash

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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