# NTSB MKC87LA093: Forney Ercoupe, N7515C, Omaha, NE, April 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1987, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Omaha, NE
- Coordinates: 41.300891, -96.049484 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3009&lon=-96.0495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34373/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - emergency
  - fuel system,filter - separation (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ANNUAL INSPECTION ON THIS ACFT WAS COMPLETED THE DAY PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. DURING THIS FLT, THE WIRE HOLDING THE FUEL FILTER BOWL IN PLACE CAME LOOSE AND THE BOWL CAME OFF. THE ENG QUIT FROM FUEL STARVATION AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD. THE NOSE GEAR PARTIALLY COLLAPSED SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7515C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FORNEY ERCOUPE
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27878-7-12
- Airframe hours: 1271
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Arant, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1987, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 547 total, 286 in this make and model, 547 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19870424011529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870424011529A), Apr 24, 1987: Univar F1, Omaha, NE, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation. The retainer wire for the firewall filter bowl had come loose.

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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