# NTSB LAX96LA282: Ercoupe 415-C, N2915H, Page, AZ, July 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 1996, 16:54 local (23:54 UTC) - Place: Page, AZ - Coordinates: 36.680801, -111.410369 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6808&lon=-111.4104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29517 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29517/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA282 ## Probable cause decision of the pilot to operate the airplane with an inoperative transfer pump and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - fuel system,transfer pump - inoperative - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot reported he ran out of fuel and the plane lost power about 5 miles from the airport. The pilot completed a forced landing off the airport on a narrow dirt road. The pilot stated that the fuel transfer pump was inoperative and he was unable to transfer fuel from the wing tanks to the fuselage tank, which supplies fuel to the engine. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 1996, at 1654 hours mountain standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N2915H, collided with some high vegetation and the terrain after an in-flight loss of power near the Page, Arizona, airport. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Kayenta Airport, Kayenta, Arizona, about 1600 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot indicated to the Page airport manager that the fuel transfer pump was inoperative and he was unable to transfer fuel from the wing tanks to the fuselage tank, which supplies fuel to the engine. The pilot departed Grants, New Mexico, earlier in the day and flew about 1 hour, landed, and transferred the fuel. He indicated that he had previously landed at Ganado, Arizona, and Kayenta, and planned to land at Page. The pilot reported that he ran out of fuel and the plane lost power about 5 miles from the airport. The pilot landed on a narrow dirt road. The road cut through uneven terrain and the left wing struck vegetation on the higher shoulder of the road during the landing roll. The airplane veered left off the road and damaged the airplane's left wing and tail cone. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2915H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2915H), registered now, S/N 3540, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C - 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: 3540 - Airframe hours: 2255 - Engines: Continental C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ted Payne - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: 0V7, KAYENTA, AZ - Destination: PGA - Airport: PGA, Page Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 50 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PGA, 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 19960720018869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960720018869A), Jul 20, 1996: Univar 415C, Page, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Struck high vegetation landing. Fuel transfer pump inop. Unable transfer fuel to header tank. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.