# NTSB MKC90LA109: Ercoupe 415-C, N2628H, Searcy, AR, May 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1990, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Searcy, AR
- Coordinates: 35.239227, -91.7303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2392&lon=-91.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA109

## Probable cause

PILOT IMPAIRMENT FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, AND FUEL CONTAMINATION WITH WATER AND DIRT (MUD) IN THE SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING LOCALLY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER.  HE INITIATED A LANDING ON A ROADWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF A RICE FIELD, BUT DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND WAS DAMAGED.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS MUD AND WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND STRAINER.  A TOXICOLOGY TEST SHOWED THE PILOT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.18%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2628H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2628H), registered now, S/N 3253, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3253
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerrell E. Caskey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1989
- Departed: M07, SEARCY, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 290 total, 90 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 20 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 19900517016549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900517016549A), May 17, 1990: Univar 415C, Searcy, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power local ops. Hit embankment landing on dirt road. Mud and water in fuel system. Alcohol in pilots system.

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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