# NTSB NYC05LA084: Ercoupe 415C, N2406H, Saluda, VA, May 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 2005, 21:00 local (May 14, 2005, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Saluda, VA - Coordinates: 37.602222, -76.446388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6022&lon=-76.4464&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 June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Richmond FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61478 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61478/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA084 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to an unsecured mixture control cable, which was not properly secured by maintenance personnel during a recent annual inspection. Also causal was the airplane owner's continued operation of the airplane with known deficiencies. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - mixture control,cable - not secured (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment, owner/builder (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - fence ## Analysis The airplane was departing from a 2,270-foot-long runway, and was about 100 feet above the ground, when it experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a field; however, the airplane struck a fence and a tractor, prior to coming to rest. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the carburetor mixture control cable was not properly secured. The carburetor mixture control arm was observed in the lean position, while the cockpit mixture control was in the full rich position. The airplane had been operated for about 35 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about one month prior to the accident. The airplane owner reported that the airplane had experienced several recent power losses since the annual inspection, and a work order dated after the accident listed discrepancies with the airplane, which included "mixture cable secured with zip ties and loose." ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2005, about 2100 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415C, N2406H, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after it experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff from Hummel Field, Saluda, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the airplane was departing from runway 1, a 2,270-foot-long, 45-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane was about 100 feet above the runway when it experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a field; however, the airplane struck a fence and a tractor, prior to coming to rest. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the carburetor mixture control cable was not properly secured. The carburetor mixture control arm was observed in the lean position, while the cockpit mixture control was in the full rich position. The airplane had been operated for about 35 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on April 18, 2005. In addition, the airplane owner reported to the FAA that the airplane had experienced several recent power losses since the annual inspection. According to a work order dated April 25, 2005, the owner was informed of several discrepancies with the airplane, which included "mixture cable secured with zip ties and loose." Title 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix D, of the Federal Aviation Regulations indicated the scope and detail of items to be included in annual and 100 hour inspections. With regard to engine components, the regulation stated in part, to inspect: "Engine controls, for defects, improper travel, and improper safetying; Lines, hoses, and clamps, for leaks, improper condition and looseness; and All Systems, for improper installation, poor general condition, defects, and insecure attachment...." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2406H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2406H-2008-02-08), registration cancelled 2008-02-08, S/N 3031, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C - 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: 3031 - Airframe hours: 2375 - Engines: Teledyne Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jerry Mayers - Registered owner: David Mayers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2005, 35 hours before - Departed: W75, Saluda, VA - Airport: W75, Hummel, runway 1, 2,270 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 308 total, 20 in this make and model, 259 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 50,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: FYJ, 16 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 20050513008569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050513008569A), May 13, 2005: Univar 415C, Saluda, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 13, 2005, at 2109 local time, Ercoupe 415C, N2406H, at Hummel field on take-off from rwy 1, the aircraft engine quit at about 75 feet AGL. Pilot… 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.