# NTSB NYC08LA019: Ercoupe 415-C, N94320, Stuart, FL, October 24, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 2007, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Stuart, FL - Coordinates: 27.201944, -80.235557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2019&lon=-80.2356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66961/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA019 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to a partially blocked fuel line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,line - blocked(partial) (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The Ercoupe 415-C was in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,000 feet mean sea level, when the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot performed the emergency checklist items, which included applying carburetor heat, without any change in engine performance, and subsequently ditched in a river. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane, which subsequently sank in saltwater. The airplane sustained damage to the forward portion of the fuselage, both wings and the propeller. The pilot reported that when the airplane was recovered, he observed contamination lodged in the fuel line leading to the gascolator. He did not observe any fuel contamination during his preflight inspection. The airplane was subsequently sold. The new owner confirmed the presence of a restriction in the fuel line. He further stated that after the fuel tanks and fuel lines were flushed, the engine was started and ran without any anomalies. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 2007, about 0920 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N94320, was substantially damaged following a partial loss of engine power while in cruise flight, and subsequent ditching in a river near Stuart, Florida. The certificated sport pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the St. Lucie County International Airport (FPR), Fort Pierce, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,000 feet mean sea level, approximately 5 miles from Witham Field (SUA), Stuart, Florida, when the engine experienced a partial power loss. The pilot performed the emergency checklist items, which included applying carburetor heat, but did not note any change in engine performance. The pilot initially attempted to continue to SUA; however, as the airplane descended, he elected to ditch in the St. Lucie River, about 2 miles north-northwest of the airport. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane, which subsequently sank in saltwater. The airplane sustained damage to the forward portion of the fuselage, both wings, and the propeller. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was performed during March 2007. The pilot reported that he flew the airplane for 3 hours, 2 days prior to the accident and did not experience any problems. The pilot further reported that when the airplane was recovered, he observed contamination lodged in the fuel line leading to the gascolator. He did not observe any fuel contamination during his preflight inspection. The airplane was subsequently sold. During an interview, the new owner confirmed the presence of a restriction in the fuel line. He further stated that after the fuel tanks and fuel lines were flushed, the engine was started and ran without any anomalies. A weather observation taken at SUA, at 0847, reported: wind from 170 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 statue miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, temperature 26 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 24 degrees C, altimeter 29.86 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94320](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94320), registered now, S/N 1543, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ercoupe 415-C - Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85-12F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-12f) (registry code 17125, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1543 - Airframe hours: 1820 - Engines: Teledyne Continental C75-12F 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vincent M. Molina - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007, 100 hours before - Departed: FPR, Fort Pierce, FL - Destination: SUA, Stuart, FL - Airport: SUA, Witham Field, runway 12, 5,826 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 295 total, 250 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: SUA, 2 nm away 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.