# NTSB MIA83LA118: Ercoupe G, N2175H, Pempbroke Pines, FL, April 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1983, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Pempbroke Pines, FL
- Coordinates: 26.0305, -80.240776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0305&lon=-80.2408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA118

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL STRAINER WAS FULL OF WATER AND THAT THE CARBURETOR BOWL CONTAINED ONE OR TWO OUNCES OF WATER. DRAINING OF THIS WATER ALLOWED PROPER OPERATION OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE BELOW 1200-1500 RPM DUE TO DIRTY JETS IN THE CARBURETOR. THIS PROBLEM HAD EXISTED BEFORE AND WAS NOT RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE ACFT IS BASED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2175H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2175H-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 2798, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) G
- 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: 2798
- Airframe hours: 880
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roger A. Dick
- Registered owner: United States Aviation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1982
- Departed: LAL, LAKELAND, FL
- Destination: TMB, MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,036 total, 12 in this make and model, 3,009 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL, 10 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 19830405015959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830405015959A), Apr 5, 1983: Univar 415C, Pembroke Pines, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Landed on a road. Veered off into a tree. Found considerable water in fuel.

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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