# NTSB MIA96LA007: Forney ERCOUPE-2, N3027G, Cartersville, GA, October 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1995, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Cartersville, GA - Coordinates: 34.159641, -84.799911 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1596&lon=-84.7999&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37930 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37930/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA007 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO CONTINUE FLIGHT WITH THE INOPERATIVE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE INOPERATIVE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WERE FACTORS. ## 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,transfer pump - inoperative (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - fence - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The private pilot stated that the engine lost power due to fuel starvation, because the transfer pump was inoperative and he could only utilize the fuel in the header tank. He stated to the FAA inspector that the fuel pump had failed earlier in the day. He refueled his fuselage tank and did some touch-and-go landings. He then headed towards another destination to refuel and the engine lost power and he executed a forced landing to a field. During the final approach the nose wheel clipped a barbed wire fence which drove a fence post into each wing and spun the airplane around. The airplane then slid approximately 30 yards into a four foot ditch damaging the engine and the airframe. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 1995, about 1515 eastern daylight time, N3027G, an Ercoupe ER-2 crashed in Cartersville, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated about 40 minutes earlier. The pilot stated that the engine lost power due to fuel starvation, because the transfer fuel pump was inoperative and he could only utilize the fuel in the header tank. He stated to the FAA inspector that the fuel pump had failed earlier in the day. He had stopped to refuel his fuselage tank and then did some touch-and-go landings at Cedar Falls. He headed towards Cartersville to refuel and the engine lost power and he executed a forced landing to a field. During the final approach the nose wheel clipped a barbed wire fence which drove a fence post into each wing and spun the airplane. The airplane slid about 30 yards into a 4 foot ditch, damaging the engine and airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3027G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3027G), registered now, S/N 5722, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FORNEY ERCOUPE-2 - Registry model: [Forney F-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/forney-f-1a) (registry code 0420204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5722 - Airframe hours: 2064 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dane T Velie - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1994, 74 hours before - Departed: 4A4, CEDARTOWN, GA - Destination: VPC, CARTERVILLE, GA - Airport: VPC, Cartersville ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 263 total, 154 in this make and model, 219 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MCN ## 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 19951015035799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951015035799A), Oct 15, 1995: Univar F1A, Cartersville, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power en route due fuel starvation. Tried for field. Hit fence. Slid into ditch. Header tank pump prior inop. 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.