# NTSB MKC84LA089: Ercoupe 415C, N3112H, N. Stillwell, KS, February 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1984, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: N. Stillwell, KS
- Coordinates: 38.78062, -94.679756 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7806&lon=-94.6798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33643/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (contributing factor)
  - aircraft service - improper, other person (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER AN ENG POWER LOSS DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB, THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. THE HARD LANDING RESULTEDIN A NOSE GEAR COLLAPSE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD ONLY FLOWN ONCE IN 7 MONTHS. THE OLD AUTOMOTIVE FUEL HAD DETERIORATED AND CONTAINED SEDIMENTS. 5 GALLONS OF AVIATION FUEL HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE 8 GALLONS OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL PRIOR TO THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3112H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3112H), registered now, S/N 3737, 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: 3737
- Airframe hours: 1152
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Kleckner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 30, 1983, 1 hours before
- Airport: 63K, Hillside, runway 18, 2,000 × 24 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,402 total, 20 in this make and model, 13,781 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GVW, 3 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 19840225004339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840225004339A), Feb 25, 1984: Univar 415C, Stilwell, KS, Substantial damage. Aircraft made hard emergency landing when engine quit during takeoff.

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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