# NTSB MIA90FA191: Erco 415, N93410, Titusville, FL, September 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1990, 12:09 local (16:09 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.630462, -80.849807 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6305&lon=-80.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA191

## Probable cause

WAS PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FOREIGN OBJECT OBSTRUCTION OF THE INLET OF THE CARBURETOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE ENG START & RUN UP WERE NORMAL. DURING THE GROUND ROLL TO TAKEOFF, THE ACFT ACCELERATED NORMALLY BUT AFTER ROTATION AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE ENG RPM DROPPED FROM 2,600 TO 2,200. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING PUFFS OF BLACK SMOKE TRAILING THE ACFT. THE PLT INITIATED A TURN TO RETURN TO THE ARPT BUT THE ENG RPM CONTINUED TO DECREASE. HE THEN ROLLED WINGS LEVEL & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE THEN THE GROUND. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENG POWER WAS DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT OBSTRUCTING THE INLET OF THE CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93410](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93410-1991-02-08), registration cancelled 1991-02-08, S/N 733 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 415
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 733
- Airframe hours: 2399
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: M.L. Cunningham/Ector D. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1990, 57 hours before
- Destination: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Airport: X21, Arthur Dunn Air Park, runway 33, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,487 total, 12 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIX, 7 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 19900926042499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900926042499A), Sep 26, 1990: Univar STC415, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. Rough engine power loss and black smoke. Hit tree in yard of residence. Primer unlocked and departed on one magneto

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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